Autonomous hot water supply of a private house and apartment is one of the most pressing domestic issues of our time. Depending on the principle of operation of the water heater, they are divided into several types. Among them are electric storage units, indirect heating devices, gas models, flow options. The most popular modification is the storage boiler. Consider its device, features of operation, as well as existing analogues and consumer reviews.
Device
To understand how a water heater works, let's study its device. It is quite simple and understandable. At the same time, they are considered economical and reliable units. The functionality of the boiler is based on two main elements: a tank and a heating element (heater).
Particular attention in the production of the considered devices for heating water is given to the internal coating. The material for the manufacture of tanks is mainly a special stabilized steel. It is durable and corrosion resistant. Internalpart of the tanks is covered with glass porcelain, which has a wide range of advantages and belongs to the group of elements with maximum chemical neutrality. This is due to the special crystalline structure of the material. In tanks with this design, the water remains clean and clear even after long-term operation.
The principle of operation of the storage water heater
In the inside of the boiler there are special tubes that are responsible for the supply of cold and hot water. The liquid is fed into the tank from below. Then it is evenly distributed throughout the volume using the provided jet divider. This design causes the gradual displacement of heated water to the upper part, from where it is taken.
The principle of operation of the water heater is close to that of a thermos with heating, while layers of liquid of different temperatures do not mix, which makes it possible to obtain uniformly heated water. The following elements are also involved in the operation of the boiler, placed on a steel flange:
- nichrome alloy coil heating element with copper casing;
- temperature controller (thermostat);
- Magnesium alloy anode to reduce the effect of corrosion on the tank lining.
Flange is removable, fixed on the body individually.
Safety
The main points of the principle of operation of the water heater are related to its safety, since it is aggregated with the electrical network. Behindthis aspect meets the double thermostat. It allows you to smoothly adjust the temperature indicators, and also performs a protective function, turning off the device in the presence of critical overheating. If the temperature in the tank reaches the limit, a protective device is activated that deactivates the heating elements instantly. In normal mode, when the water temperature drops by 2-3 degrees, the built-in elements heat the liquid to a predetermined value. Another safety feature is the non-return valve, which prevents overpressure in the tank.
Indirect heating units
These heaters are not intended for the production of autonomous thermal energy. Some modifications can be equipped with a built-in heating element responsible for maintaining a certain temperature of the liquid. In normal mode, the unit heats water using a coil equipped with an internal liquid heat carrier. Below are the diagram and principle of operation of the indirect heating boiler.
A coil is built into the insulated cylindrical tank of large volume, to which the heat carrier from the boiler is connected. Cold water is supplied, as in the electric version, from below, hot liquid is supplied from above. As a rule, such a water heater is used in houses with a large number of consumers, since it is able to provide hot water in a significant amount.
Features of indirect type heaters
The principle of operation of an indirect type water heater is to exchange between compartments withdifferent temperatures. It should be borne in mind that in order to obtain water from a tap of 50 degrees, the temperature of the coolant must be at least 75 °. This is a definite disadvantage of the boiler. Another disadvantage is that it takes a long time to fully load a large tank, which is not very convenient when hot water is used intensively.
Indirect heaters in the design have a magnesium anode, and more complex and expensive modifications are equipped with a pair of coils, one of which can be used according to the standard scheme, and the second connected to a backup source. It can be a solar collector, an additional heating element or a second boiler.
The device and principle of operation of indirect type water heaters allow them to be produced in wall and floor form, aggregated with any energy source. Often these units come with double-circuit boilers. This allows using a heat generator to maintain the set temperature, switching between systems if necessary to load the tank.
Gas models
These devices externally and in design resemble electrical storage counterparts. The system includes a metal tank with insulation, suspended on the wall. Instead of heating elements, heating is carried out from a burner installed in the lower part, and a chimney outlet is provided at the top. The principle of operation of the storage water heater is to heat the water after the burner is ignited. The rest of the process is identical to that which occurs in the electrical sample.
Additional heating of the liquid occurs through the removal of heat from the combustion elements. This is facilitated by dividers in the steel gas duct, which pass through the tank and give off heat to the water. An electronic unit is responsible for the operation of the burner, which regulates the flame depending on the required temperature. A magnesium anode is provided to protect the inside of the case. Such units are not in great demand, since they require a special permit from the relevant services and equipment of a separate chimney.
Flow modifications
The device and principle of operation of a flow-type water heater are fundamentally different from storage models. The unit is designed to quickly warm running water as needed.
There are two power supplies for this equipment. The first option includes gas burners, the inclusion of which occurs synchronously with the opening of the water supply tap. The second type is flow type electric heaters. Heating elements are used as working elements, which are also activated when the crane is turned on.
It is worth noting that the geyser has a complex design and requires the participation of an experienced specialist when connecting. In the electrical counterpart, running water is heated by a powerful heating element, which transfers thermal energy to the water. It consumes quite a lot of energy, as a result of which it has a limited scope. The advantage of such a unit is its compact dimensions and ease of installation.
There is a plate boiler as a water heat exchanger. To supply hot water, it acts on the principle of an indirectly heated boiler, only transfers heat to the liquid in flow mode.
Selection criteria
When choosing one or another modification, pay attention to the inner coating of the tank. It can be made of stainless steel, titanium or glass porcelain. It is worth noting that despite the low price and other advantages of the latter material, it has a number of disadvantages, namely:
- short warranty period (less than three years);
- susceptibility to deformation and cracking due to temperature extremes.
Boilers with internal coatings made of steel or titanium are warranted for 7 to 10 years.
In addition, the average hot water consumption should be taken into account when choosing a model of the appropriate power and volume.
Reviews
As evidenced by the feedback from consumers, the principle of operation of an electric storage water heater is the most optimal. The advantages of such a unit, the owners include the following factors:
- the ability to select the required volume of the tank;
- long period of maintaining water temperature;
- fair price;
- easy to connect and operate;
- long service life.
The disadvantages of users include decent dimensions of the boiler, notalways a convenient regulator, the need for annual maintenance.
