Heat Exchanger - The 3 Basic Types of Hydronic Heating Systems You Should Know

Hydronic heat exchangers or "steam" systems have been around with us since the 1800's at the dawn of the Industrial Age. Steam engines changed the world of transportation almost overnight and steam heat or hydronic heat exchanger systems did the same thing residential and commercial heating.

Almost at the same time that the first steam boilers were made power the great railroad engines, manufacturing mills and cargo ships, steam heat found its way into the home. This is not an unnatural course of events considering the amount of heat that can be put out by steam; as anyone who has ever sat for long in a moist sauna can testify to.

The Theory behind Hydronic Heating Systems
These systems are actually very simple. The most common hydronic heat exchanger consists of three main components: the boiler (the heating source), the piping array and the heat exchangers (which transfer the heat from the water into warmth for the room.)

The process goes like this: water is heated and then either turned into steam or very near to boiling and is then piped to radiators (located through-out the house) or to thermal mass floorings (which absorbs the heat and slowly releases it into the room).

The 3 types of fuel sources for a hydronic heat exchanger are electric, gas or oil-fired boilers. Boilers can be made from cast-iron, stainless steel or copper. While there are different ways that each of these boilers are constructed, each with their own advantages and disadvantages, the main idea to understand that is each boiler is basically heating a closed-water system.

This means that any chronic lost of fluid can cause a problem. This is why the type of piping array becomes critically important to the overall system.

The Three Types

As you may have guessed by now, hydronic heat exchangers are most often classified by their piping arrangements:

o One-pipe or single pipe
o Two pipe
o Loop series

The oldest of their designs is the one-pipe array. A single pipe carries steam from the boiler to every radiator in the structure. The single-pipe has a layout made so that eventually gravity will pull the condensed water in the piping back into the boiler tank. A two-pipe system uses a second return pipe instead of gravity-induced flow to bring water back to the holding tanks.

Both single and two pipe systems were designed for steam-based heat exchangers but most modern units use hot water in a loop series of pipes as the heat conductors. This type of system offers a slimmer wall-mount, stainless steel heat transfer unit and has better energy-efficient water to air heat transfer rates.

Another advantage of this kind of hydronic heating is that if properly equipped will heat water for domestic uses like cooking, washing or bathing as well as water for external uses such as swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, garages or greenhouses. Plus looped pipe hydronic heat exchangers will not only provide heat in the winter months but can be used to circulate chilled water in the summer months to aid in overall cooling.

So as you can see modern hydronic heat exchanger systems can not warm you and your family in those cold winter months but also provide a low cost method of central air cooling as well.

A fin tube heat exchanger article by Scotts Digital - Best SEO company in Singapore.

Heat Exchanger Safety - A Maintained Furnace is a Safe Furnace

Heat exchangers are pieces of equipment that are used for the transfer of heat from one fluid to another. When a heat exchanger goes bad, chances are, important things stop working. When your automobile engine is overheating, it's likely that the heat exchanger is the problem. You probably call it a radiator, but it's one type of heat exchanger. In your radiator, antifreeze cools air that flows past it. This air is then blown by a fan onto the engine to keep it cool. If the radiator doesn't work properly, you won't be driving very far until the situation is fixed.

Your home heating system also has a heat exchanger. In fact, nearly every piece of mechanical equipment that has a need to intentionally heat or cool part of a system does. Inside your furnace there is a combustion chamber. There is a metal wall that separates the internal combustion from the air that flows past the heat exchanger and on through the ductwork to heat your home. You need this separation because you don't want the toxic gases inside mixing with the air that is distributed throughout your home. In the previous example, a faulty heat exchanger could lead to a broken down automobile, but in your home you could be gambling with your life.

Carbon Monoxide can be present in the combustion gases. It's supposed to be contained inside, but as time goes on, it becomes possible for the heat exchanger in your furnace to crack or warp. Each time your furnace turns on, the metal wall heats up and expands. During the off cycles, the metal of the heat exchanger cools and contracts. Over time this repeated process of expansion and contraction of the metal takes it's toll. The metal can become fatigued, and eventually warp out of shape, or just plain break.

As I noted before, these metal walls were designed to keep the toxic combustion gases inside the heat exchanger chamber. Guess what happens if there is a crack? That's right, the toxic gases inside can mix with the forced air that is being blown through the ductwork and into your home. Having a reliable Carbon Monoxide detector is an inexpensive measure to protect yourself and your family from the danger of Carbon Monoxide poisoning, but you can also take some proactive measures to protect against any potential danger.

Give your furnace an annual checkup, just before the heating season, to check the condition of the burners, the heat exchanger, the furnace filter, and other components that can affect the performance of your furnace. I recommend have a certified HVAC specialist do this. Only a certified specialist will have the knowledge and experience needed to know exactly what to look for, and where to look for it, as well as knowing what the operating specifications for your unit should be.

If your furnace is over 10 years old, it is even more important to keep that annual checkup. This is the time period where the years of wear and tear on your heat exchanger make a failure of the heat exchanger wall significantly more likely. Keeping your furnace in good health can also help keep you and your family in good health.

A heat exchanger marine services article by Scotts Digital - Top SEO company in Singapore.

Air Cooled Compressors

Air Cooled Compressors are used more and more often in today's industries and come in three main types:

• Rotary Screw
• Rotary Centrifugal
• Reciprocating

I will explain how the three types work and how they vary from each other:

Rotary Screw Compressors

This type is known as a positive displacement compressor, they consist of two rotors, the rotors are enclosed in casing and internally compress the air. These systems are all oil cooled and contain no valves (the oil coolers themselves are water or air cooled).

The internal mechanism never experiences extreme temperatures whilst operating; this is due to all the cooling taking place inside the unit.

They are very easy to operate and maintain with a few advantages:

• Compact in Size
• Pulse-free Air
• Smooth Air
• High Output Volume
• Long Life

Rotary Centrifugal

These are known as dynamic compressors and rely on the transfer on energy from a rotating impeller to the air. They produce a very high pressure discharge, in order to achieve this they rotate at speeds far superior to the other two types, the flow through is continuous and therefore are designed for a higher capacity. They have guide vanes at the front of the system, these slides open and closed and are designed to reduce and increase the capacity. Rotary Centrifugal Compressors are oil free by design.

Reciprocating

Known as positive displacement machines, they are available air or water cooled and also lubricated or non-lubricated in configuration. They offer a very wide range of pressure and capacities, all varying in price and power.

Please visit here Oil cooler.

Why Should You Consider Mobile Ice Cream Catering?

Recognizing that one of a caterer's biggest headaches is how to match the product needs with the equipment required to the size of the event, there are as wide a range of solutions as challenges.

Equipment Categories

1. Simple cooler or cold box on wheels - this can encompass everything from an Igloo(TM) to a tricycle or pushcart. It's generally not refrigerated but simply an insulated box, which may possibly use dry ice.

2. Cold Plate Freezer - slightly larger than the cold box, much heavier and relies on heat transfer from large metal plates embedded in the walls of the freezer. This type of freezer needs to be plugged in overnight to cool down with the advantage that no power is needed at your catering event. You are simply relying on the thermal qualities of the plates themselves to keep product from spoilage. It can be transported on a small utility trailer or minivan.

3. Standard Freezer - requires power continuously to avoid product spoilage. Generally lighter than cold plate freezers, the disadvantage is that they must be plugged in continuously. However, based upon the insulating properties of the freezer, you should be able to transport it 2-3 hours unplugged without risk of product spoilage. It also can be transported on a small utility trailer or minivan.

4. Small trailer - these units generally comprise of a standard freezer and have all of the necessary support equipment such as sinks, awnings etc. on-board.

5. Concession Trailer - generally a much larger, towable unit, which may contain several, built in freezers. These units can be configured for a variety of other supporting products such as waffles irons, soft serve and/or dipped ice cream, or even complementary products such as hot dogs.

6. Ice Cream Truck - generally vending only novelty items and soft serve ice cream. Ice cream trucks are generally not used at specific events, but more a roaming opportunistic environment.

In general, most caterers will be interested in the middle three configurations. However, within these three configurations there is a range of scalability and overlap between the styles.

Health Department Regulations for Mobile Catering

Regulations vary widely across the country from fairly loose to very strict. The more relaxed Health Department may allow dipping from an Igloo(TM) with little more sanitation than 3 buckets of water. The strictest - some of whom are in California - almost prohibit dipping in a mobile environment altogether regardless of whether a three bowl sink and clean running water is readily available. The bottom line here is you must check with your local Health Department for guidelines before even considering a purchase.

For example, some states do not mandate a sneezeguard on your freezer; however, you may elect to use a sneezeguard for your own protection. Other states allow you to forego a three-bowl sink if you have a dipwell with running water or even forego a sink altogether if you keep the scoop in the tub inside the freezer. Your cart vendor can work with you to provide enough information that your Health Department can view all of the details about your prospective purchase BEFORE you buy it - and may even issue a conditional license based on the information presented. Then, once you receive your cart, the physical inspection and actual license issuance should be much easier.

Segment most applicable to caterers

Typical events may range in size from under 100 to over 1,000. Such events may comprise of corporate parties, children's' birthday parties, weddings, bar mitzvahs, school functions and outdoor fairs. For the best flexibility you need to have a solution that can work both indoor and outdoors, and is potentially scalable for the larger events when they come along. Depending on the size of your business and your commitment to mobile catering, you may ultimately need more than one cart to be able to adequately meet all of your client's needs.

For example, ice cream and gelato are served at different temperatures. While retail-store gelato display cases use forced air for refrigeration, this type of freezer is impracticable for mobile catering. The use of a freezer type that has an adjustable thermostat (i.e. NOT a cold-plate freezer) will allow you the flexibility of changing product types if your business model encompasses the ability to cater different event types. Cater an ice cream party on Saturday and a gelato party on Sunday!

Who'da thought...?

Ever considered talking to a bank about sponsoring an event for their customers? Some organizations who you wouldn't think would purchase an ice cream cart have invested in one; is that because no one in their locale would cater their event? How about Country Clubs? Golf courses? Municipal swimming pools? Hotels? Realtors? Universities? 

Advertising companies? Or maybe...?

Talk to the management company of your local high-rise or building supply company; ask to allow you to put a cart on their property in return for a share of the profits. Power is readily available (use theirs!) if not, you'll have to use a generator - although there is one company that can provide a cart powered by a battery.

Why?

You'll find off-premise catering much more profitable because your overhead is much lower - when analyzed as a separate business unit. You must, of course, have some kind of store or commissary available to meet Health Dept. regulations (which will affect your margins), but overall you'll find off-premise catering an invaluable and lucrative marketing tool.

Would like to know about Plate Cooler.

Improve Effectiveness of Evaporative Coolers

Ordinary coolers may not be effective in places where temperatures can reach over 100 degrees in summers. Most people use roof mounted coolers that are ineffective as they are placed directly under the sun. To cool your home in summers, it is a good idea to use evaporative coolers especially if you live in area where the temperature is hot and dry. 

However, before you install an evaporative cooler, it is important that you decide on the place where you are going to install the cooler. Installing the cooler in the right place will ensure your home is cool and you save on your electric bills.

Before you buy an evaporative cooler, you need to find if the coolers will be effective in the area you live. The effectiveness of evaporative coolers depends on the uninterrupted transfer of moist air. If you live in an area that has dry environment, they will work well. However, if you live next to the sea or in an area that has humid environment, they become less effective.

If you have decided to buy an evaporative cooler, you need to decide on the placement of the cooler. There are different designs of evaporative coolers that are available in the market. 

The ideal placement of the cooler will be in an area that is shaded in the hottest period of the day. Avoid keeping it close to plants that may shed leaves which can block the filter. Make sure the cooler can be easily accessed because you may have to carry out maintenance at least once a month. Install the cooler away from dumpsters as it vent odor and bacteria into your home. If you are planning to buy a new cooler, make sure you get the right size for your home. If you buy a cooler that is too large, you may find it difficult to install it. If you buy a cooler that is too small as it may be ineffective in cooling your home.

You must carry out routine maintenance of the oil cooler if you want them to cool your home without any hitch. Some of the activities that you must undertake to ensure the smooth functioning of the cooler include cleaning the filter, checking for leaks in the water line and oiling the bearing. If you plan to fill the oil reservoir, make sure you get special oil that is sold in hardware stores. People who live in a hard water area can add a filter to the water line. When doing the maintenance of the machine, make sure you check if all the water distribution lines that are connected to the spider are dripping.

Gas Vs. Electric Furnaces: Heating Repair and Other Considerations

There are many things to consider when deciding which kind of heater to place in your home. The type of fuel used, cost per unit of fuel, amount of hot air provided per unit of fuel, and efficiency of the system are top considerations. All of these conditions factor into evaluating the ultimate cost of maintaining working heat for your home, whether it be gas or electric.

Cost of heating repair if a system has broken or failing to work efficiently is also a cost to consider when making your decision.

To calculate energy costs for both gas and electric furnaces, gas burned and the electricity used to run blowers and controls must both be taken into account. The efficiency of a system is indicative of how well an energy conversion or transfer is accomplished. This can be measured as a percentage by using the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) scale. The higher this percentage, the more hot air the system can extract from each portion of gas used, and the lower the impact on the environment. Efficiency is calculated using the BTU, or British thermal unit, which is equivalent to about 1055 Joules, or the amount needed to heat one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Efficiency = (output BTU/input BTU) x 100.

Gas Furnaces
Gas is the larger of the two furnaces. They essentially take in cold air, clean it, warm it via combustion of gas in a heat exchanger, and then distribute the warm air throughout your home. It requires access to a natural gas line and a ventilator (typically a chimney) to dispel the hazardous byproducts produced during combustion, typically carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Because of this, there is a more involved installation process, and consequently a more involved heating repair process. Regular professional maintenance is absolutely required, since carbon monoxide leaks are definitely hazardous to the family.

Gas systems are larger and initially more expensive, ranging from $2300-$3000. But, they are generally less expensive to operate. The lowest AFUE acceptable for these machines to operate is 78 percent, and the cost per 1,000,000 BTU is about $18. Although natural gas creates greenhouse emissions and other pollutants, it still burns "cleaner" than the coal used for electric. It is more effective and efficient, especially in extreme temperatures. There is better humidity control with these heaters, it warms the home faster, and is much better for large spaces. The lifespan of a gas furnace is 10-20 years.

Electric Furnaces
In an electric furnace, a blower moves air over a series of coils that are warmed via electricity. They are smaller and less expensive than gas, ranging from $1000-$1500, and have an AFUE of 95-100%. However, because coal is primarily used to produce the electricity needed to operate the electric system, it is often more expensive over time. For example, the cost per 1,000,000 BTU is $32. Electric furnaces are typically more suitable for smaller spaces and dry climates. Expensive electric bills could arise in extremely cold temperatures, as the furnace struggles to keep the indoor temperature high.

Electric heaters are generally quiet and more durable, and no ventilation is required because there are no combustion byproducts to worry about. They have a lifespan of 20-30 years. Additionally, these systems are fairly straightforward. Many can troubleshoot and resolve issues without additional assistance, thus reducing the need for full-blown heating repair.

For commercial heat exchanger, do visit http://heatecholdings.com/