Technical possibilities for the organization of engineering systems of a private house are becoming more and more perfect and attractive in the eyes of the consumer. One of the most important tasks in this area in the economic arrangement is the organization of heating. The operation of the pipeline heat supply network today is less and less complete without special power equipment, the basis of which is a circular pump. For the heating system, pumping units are produced that can operate under high pressure and under conditions of increased temperature loads. There are plenty of models and modifications of this device on the market - it remains only to make the right choice. But first you need to figure out why, in principle, you need a pump in the heatinginfrastructure.
Circular pump tasks
Individual heating in private houses in most cases is organized by means of a water supply network with a hot circulating medium. The movement of the coolant is a key factor in the performance of the heating system. And in this sense, it is necessary to distinguish between pipeline circuits with natural and forced circulation. In the first case, due to the elementary laws of physics, hot streams circulate in the system in a natural way - the heated water rises from the boiler, and in the cooled state it falls due to the acting force of gravity. This principle works in small houses, but in conditions of even an average area there is a risk of stopping flows, which in winter is fraught with freezing pipes. So why do we need a circulation pump in heating? It is in conditions of difficulty in the natural movement of hot streams that forced circulation is required, provided by the pump. Such units are mounted in the heat supply system at the location of the return pipe, which connects the boiler and the target radiator equipment. With proper placement of pipes and a pump, you can guarantee a uniform and stable distribution of heat energy throughout the house.
Types of circular pump
Two categories of such units should be distinguished - models with a "dry" and a "wet" rotor. Outwardly and even in terms of operating parameters, they practically do not differ, but during operation, individual nuances of their work are very noticeable. So,the presence of a "dry" rotor means that the device will make a lot of noise and vibrate, but at the same time it will provide high performance. A typical design of a circulation pump for heating with a “wet” rotor is different in that the power plant is always in a serviced water environment. This is necessary to lubricate the element base, which ultimately reduces the noise effect, but also reduces the efficiency. In addition, due to direct contact of the coolant with mechanical elements, water quality is reduced, which can be harmful to pipes.
Characteristics of the circulation pump for heating
Now you can move on to an overview of the main performance characteristics that evaluate the performance of circular pumps:
- The volume of coolant that passes through the heating equipment in 1 min. Experts in assessing this parameter are advised to equate the power of the unit to the water consumption. For example, if the power of the boiler equipment is 20 kW, then the pump is selected according to the flow rate of about 20 liters of water.
- Type of coolant. In the heating system, not only hot water can be served, but also special mixtures - for example, with anti-freeze additives. It is important to think over this nuance from the very beginning, since different pump construction materials have their own limitations in terms of contact with a particular chemistry.
- Spigot diameter. One of the characteristics (together with pressure) that directly affect the throughput and flow rate of the coolant. Yes, labeling is common.circulation pump for heating systems 25/4, which indicates the diameter (in millimeters) and the pressure force (in meters of water column). On average, a 25 mm nozzle flows 30 l / min if the water column is 4-6 m.
- Temperature of the working environment. The maximum thermal load that the pump can operate normally. Modern models are able to withstand up to 110 ° C.
The rating of circular pumps for heating presented below will allow you to more accurately determine the choice of a suitable unit for operation in certain conditions.
1. Grundfos ALPHA3
One of the most high-tech offerings in the general segment of circular pumping units today. The Danish company has been developing the line of ALPHA circular pumps for a long time, but in this case we are talking about the third generation of the family. It concentrated the best practices of previous generations and included unique innovations.
From the basic operating parameters of ALPHA3, we can note the diameter of the nozzle by 25 mm, the pressure of 4 m and the installation length of about 180 mm. But the most important thing is the ability to control the Grundfos ALPHA3 circulation pump for the heating system. The developers have provided an interface provided by a proprietary application for the GO Remote smartphone, thanks to which the user can control all the main parameters of the equipment from a distance. In particular, remote control can be used to select the operating mode, read errors, perform diagnostic operations, etc. Moreover, in the modesoperation, automatic adjustment is also taken into account, with an emphasis on the target supplied equipment - radiators, floor heating systems or on closed circulation in the circuit. To ensure safety, a special system balancing option is provided. Using special sensors, the pump electronics constantly monitors the hydraulic characteristics of the heating system, giving recommendations for adjusting shut-off and control valves.
2. Wester WCP 25-60G
The case when a product from a company known for the most part only to specialists demonstrates compliance with high consumer demands according to a variety of evaluation criteria. We can say that the universal circulation pump for heating WCP 25-60G is optimally suited for one- and two-pipe systems. The unit works stably at temperature loads up to 110 ° C and with a pressure of 6 bar. The cast iron housing guarantees durability and reliable operation of the equipment.
Users themselves note the ergonomic advantages of this model. Among them, we can note the possibility of mounting in vertical and horizontal planes, compact dimensions and low noise level. Unpleasant vibration increase factors are noted at the maximum load of the circulation pump. For a domestic heating system, in principle, it is not recommended to use maximum speed operating modes, but in extreme cases, fluctuations can be minimized by setting the pump to a lower speed.
3. Belamos BRS25/4G"
A budget solution from a domestic manufacturer that costs only 2,000 rubles. Again, a universal unit for household systems with a small load. With a maximum head of 4.5 m, the pump maintains a capacity of 2.8 m3/h. At the same time, the owners point to the high quality of work - stable maintenance of the set temperature for a long time and maintaining the purity of the aquatic environment without impurities. This option is especially suitable for those who rely on the minimum cost of maintaining a circulation pump. For the heating system of a small house, they will correspond to the cost of maintaining a medium-sized light bulb. However, for these advantages, you will have to sacrifice not the best quality of the complete fasteners and the rotor impeller, which is made of plastic.
4. Wilo Star-RS 25/4
In terms of the quality of parts and assembly, this model corresponds to the ALPHA3 level, while providing ample opportunities for use in combined heating systems with ventilation and water supply. The unit has three pumping speeds, provides a maximum throughput of up to 3 m3 / h and practically does not impose requirements in terms of temperature restrictions. The only recommendation for the coolant is that the water should not be too hard. According to the working process of the circulation pump for the Wilo heating system of this version, users note the low noise level, reliability, ease of installation operations (a wide range of equipment with a full set of fasteners affects)and resistance to network drops. Among the shortcomings, a price tag of 5.5 thousand rubles can be noted. and the possibility of implementing only horizontal installation.
5. "Jilex Compass 32-80"
A model that combines high performance and belonging to the democratic segment of circular pumps. Structural features in the form of a large-format branch pipe with a large pressure column cause a high speed of flow circulation. As a result, even a large house can be warmed up in just 15-20 minutes. If we talk about specific indicators, then about 8 m3 of coolant is passed per hour. At peak load, this consumes 245 watts, which is also a lot already in terms of energy consumption. Remarkably, with a solid power, the circulation pump for the Dzhileks Zirkul heating system in terms of vibrational vibrations and noise corresponds to small-sized units. Quiet operation is organically associated with a uniform distribution of the coolant, high productivity and technical reliability. But in terms of energy costs, this model shows the worst results in the ranking.
How to choose a circulation pump for heating?
In addition to the main performance characteristics, functionality and technical compatibility with pipelines and heating equipment, it will not be out of place to pay attention to the design of the unit. To a large extent, the durability of the resource of equipment and the stability of the performance of basic tasks will depend on it.
Most care in choosingis given to the materials of manufacture of the housing and rotor. Preference can be given to cast iron as the most reliable solution, but it should be borne in mind that this metal cannot be combined with a pipeline that serves clean water for food needs. Which circulation pump is better for a heating system in terms of rotor design? The most reliable designs are provided by ceramic components. In extreme cases, you can give preference to stainless elements, but if they are supplemented by plastic consumables, this will be a serious minus of the unit. Also, in a comprehensive assessment of the reliability of equipment, you can focus on the IP security class. At a minimum, it is worth choosing models with a marking of at least IP44, which will indicate effective isolation of the pump filling from dirt, water and dust.
Use the unit
The pump is mounted into the circuit by inserting into the pipeline with the preliminary installation of shut-off valves from the side of the heat carrier source. Before operating the equipment, the system must be filled with water. At this point, the pipe line must be at minimum pressure before entering the pump nozzle. Next, a connection is made to the mains with the necessary cable insulation, after which the equipment is turned on. In the future, as the technical instruction prescribes, circulation pumps for the heating system should be regularly checked for the presence of air in the system. In modern models, automation is responsible for this part of the diagnostics. In other cases, air extractionproduced mechanically. De-airing should be carried out through the pump, opening the release valve at the highest point of the unit. Also, some models are provided with a special air separator. In this case, it is not necessary to strive to remove air through the circulation pump from the entire system. Firstly, it is technically difficult to implement, and secondly, complete deaeration is carried out in a separate order in the marked technological areas. It is desirable for such purposes to provide the pipeline with appropriate fittings in the form of the same valves with air separators.
Maintenance and repair of the pump
As part of periodic maintenance activities (approximately once every 3 months), the user is required to check the design of the equipment, the integrity of the cable and connections. Diagnostic automation must also always be under control. As for the repair of a circular pump for heating, at home you can eliminate a number of problems associated with a broken fuse, damage to the cable and protective automation. Part of the functional organs can be replaced without the help of specialists, but the repair of the rotor or the restoration of structural integrity is carried out as part of the overhaul of the unit. In the event of a malfunction of the internal electrical contacts or frequent dry running, a complete replacement of the pump may be required.
Conclusion
The operation of the heating system as part of the engineering of a private house depends onmany parameters and factors, many of which are somehow determined by the pump that supports the forced movement of the coolant. It determines the rate of circulation of the hot liquid, allowing more precise control of the heating dynamics. Which circular pump is better for a heating system is also a multi-level issue and requires a comprehensive analysis. It is necessary to take into account directly the hydraulic characteristics, and control capabilities, and the design parameters of a particular model. That is, such a choice can only be approached on the basis of a detailed assessment of the conditions for the future operation of the heating system and its requirements for the circulation function. Then, at the stage of equipment selection, the characteristics of the models are compared with the intended requirements. Moreover, in the assessment, one should also not ignore the stylistic properties and appearance of the unit.
