Ergomax as hydraulic separator

gasfolk

A system supply tee off the T&P port is straightforward.

But if the system return is piped to the Ergomax drain, then it will share a port with the boiler return, which works for a planned (in the future) condensing boiler but could it cause problems with the current CI boiler?

No word yet whether removing the aquastat well (to pipe the system return there) will void the warranty. If any interest, will post when the company responds.

gf

gasfolk

Ergomax 44 arrived today...

Can anyone recommend how to pipe an Ergomax to separate the boiler from the system loops as described in Jack McKeegan's paper on "Short-cycle Prevention"?

The Ergomax has tappings for boiler supply and return and for DHW cold-in and hot-out, but to make the buffer part of the primary loop injecting into the system loop, can anyone recommend the best Ergomax ports to use without voiding the warranty?

Thanks

gf

gasfolk

Ergomax 44 arrived today...

Can anyone recommend how to pipe an Ergomax to separate the boiler from the system loops as described in Jack McKeegan's paper on "Short-cycle Prevention"?

The Ergomax has tappings for boiler supply and return and for DHW cold-in and hot-out, but to make the buffer part of the primary loop injecting into the system loop, can anyone recommend the best Ergomax ports to use without voiding the warranty?

Thanks

gf

gasfolk

Well...

A system supply tee off the T&P port is straightforward.

But a system return piped to the Ergomax drain would share a port with the boiler return, which works for a planned condensing boiler, but could it cause problems with the current CI boiler?

No word yet whether removing the aquastat well (to pipe the system return there) will void the warranty. If any interest, will post when the company responds.

gf

Joe Brix

Only one right way to pipe it.

http://www.pmmag.com/CDA/Archives/3a1d8c312dfc7010VgnVCM100000f932a8c0____

hr

I'm afraid

you are limited to the two large connections provided. It would be nice, and it is on a lot of installers wish list, to have additional taps, but...

I'm not sure you need a seperator per say. Sounds like you need more of just a buffer.

A few way this can be done. the tank could be piped off a P/S loop as a secondary. Some clever control work could bring it into play as needed and also unload it as needed.

It could be a loop in ansd of itself with the boiler tee'd into it with closely spaced tees. also the loads. Check this link. http://www.pmmag.com/CDA/Archives/3a1d8c312dfc7010VgnVCM100000f932a8c0____

Or with a condensing boiler it could be in series with the boiler.

I have a freight damaged Ergo that I can't get a claim payed on. thinking about taking it to a local ASME tank manufacture in town and having some additional taps welded in

hot rod

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Maine Doug_29

Check the

thermowell fitting when u install it. The fitting on my E44 was not installed properly at the factory and had a slow leak. Not enough to show unless you peeled away the insulation. The tank now has a rust streak that is eating the tank and the well fitting has frozen in place. Was not impressed by the manufacturer's response but at least I get to show everyone that visits my building.

gasfolk

Thanks guys for your responses.

Just found your postings on a similar thread («a href="http://forums.invision.net/Thread.cfm?CFApp=2&&Message_ID=228506&_#Message228506">"buffer tank running boiler"«/a>), and thought it worthwhile to join that one. We are expecting a more formal response from Ergomax in the next few days and will post here and there.

Thanks again,

gf

gasfolk

Thanks guys for your responses.

We have been thinking about the article you recommended, found another (also by Siggy), and then stumbled across your postings on a similar thread ("buffer tank running boiler"). We thought it worthwhile to join that one.

We are expecting a more formal response from Ergomax in the next few days and will post here and there.

Thanks again,

gf

gasfolk

Thanks guys for your responses.

We have been thinking about the article you recommended above, found another (also by Siggy), and then stumbled across your postings on a similar thread ("buffer tank running boiler"). We thought it worthwhile to join that one.

We are expecting a more formal response from Ergomax in the next few days and will post here and there.

Thanks again,

gf

Ron Schroeder

As much as I like the Signature System by John Siegenthaler, it would be better if boiler to tank loop was flowing into the top of the tank and the tank to load loop was flowing out of the top of the tank. That would give the lowest return temperature to the boiler and the highest supply temperature to the loads for maximum operating efficiency.

Depending on the size of the T&P and drain fittings (and your max load), they may be able to supply the loads with the boiler connections only connected to the boiler loop.
If not, you could put "T"s on the boiler connections and "pretend" they were 4 seperate ports. Since they really aren't seperate ports, you would need really heavy flow checks or high Cv zone valves to prevent ghost flow into the wrong loops. I have an indirect/buffer piped this way. It is more difficult to get the flows correct without the seperate ports but it can be done.

Ron

gasfolk

Ron,

"boiler to tank loop was flowing into the top of the tank and the tank to load loop was flowing out of the top of the tank"

This is exactly the setup Sigienthaler presents (with diagram) in his October 2001 article. Too bad Ergomax ports appear too small for our application. May try it anyway and repipe if necessary.

gf