What You Should Know About A Hydronic Heat Exchanger
The hydronic heat exchanger, otherwise known as a steam system, has been around since at least the start of the Industrial Age in the 1800s. Almost overnight, the steam engine changed the world of transportation. Since then, it's been almost as revolutionary when providing commercial or residential heating.
Almost immediately after steam stated powering locomotives and cargo ships, the hydronic heat exchanger also found its way into the American home as a primary heat source. Small wonder, considering how much heat the steam can provide in just short amount of operating time (Just ask anyone who has visited a steam room at the local health club).
These steam systems operate on a simple principle. The typical hydronic exchanger consists of three primary parts: the heating source known as a boiler; the heat exchangers that take the water's heat and turn it into warmth for the room; and the piping array through which this heat travels.
Here's how the process works: After the water is heated, it's converted into steam. This steam then enters the pipes where it is taken to hydronic radiators that are found throughout the building (or alternatively, the steam is taken to thermal mass floorings). The heat is absorbed and then released into the room. In short, it's a water to air heating process.
There are three kinds of fuel sources for your hydronic heat exchanger. These are gas, electric and oil. The boiler itself might be made from copper, cast-iron or stainless steel. And while there are different ways that the boilers might be constructed, each works in basically the same manner. In all cases, these boilers are heating a closed-water system.
The type of piping array used in the heating system is important. That's because if there is a severe loss of fluid, problems can arise.
Hydronic exchangers are classified according to the arrangement of the piping. There is a single-pipe, a two-pipe and a loop series. The one-pipe array is the oldest form of hydronic exchanger. This type has a layout that works with gravity. That is, gravity pulls the condensed water toward the piping and back to the boiler tank. The two-pipe system, on the other hand, boasts a second return pipe for bringing water back to the tanks.
Today, however, modern hydronic exchangers use the loop-series of pipes, with hot water going through the loop, thus serving as the system's heat conductors and called a tankless hydronic heater system. This system offers a much slimmer wall-mount, it features a stainless steel heat transfer unit, plus the water-to-air heat transfer rate is much more energy-efficient.
One other advantage of the loop-series: It also allows heating of water for household uses such as bathing, washing, cooking, filling swimnming pools, filling hot tubs, and more.
The hydronic heat exchanger might be an old heating option, but it's still quite effective. It can warm your family not just in the cold winter time, but it can also heat your water, all at an affordable rate.
