Hydronic Balancing

[Deleted User]

I once worked in a building very similar to the one you are speaking of for Busch Properties. We couldnt account for around 2000 GPM of flow in the system. There HAD to be a major cross connection between the supply and return lines buried someplace within the system, but with a maximum allowable operating temperature of 75 degrees F, and a foot print of 20,000 square foot, the task of locating and eliminating the cross connect was virtually impossible.

The mechanical engineers solution was to throw an even BIGGER pump at the problem to insure proper flow at the furthest units...

You're not working on the same building are you??? In Virginia as I remember. Golf resort/convention center.

If the pressure drop thru the terminal units is the same, and the distribution system were originally piped parallel reverse return, it would be possible to pipe the system without balance valves. Tricky, but possible. Not a lot of room for modification however...

ME

Dan Whalen

Hydronic Balancing

We have a 20 000 sq ft building, built in 1991, undergoing its third renovation. Heat Pumps have been relocated, some new added, and when balancing reps arrived, they suggested they could not balance the system as most of the original heat pumps and some of the relocated ones, had no balancing valves. Is it possible that in 1991, pipe sizing would have been the method employed by the mechanical contractor to install heat pums inlet and outlet piping to accomplish desired flow range. Could you balance the system by interconnecting supply and return through some type of old flow meter to see if you got the desired flow. When did circuit balancing valves become popular and cost effective.

Al Letellier_9

balancing

I'm not an expert in this field but I have been installing circuit setters since the mid 70's when specified, but I have seen many a water source heat pump system with no balancing valves. For the most part, they were set up to Delta T and nothign else, using the old contact type thermometers. A good system today should have both circuit setters and thermometers for each unit, but when jobs go the lowest bidder........

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Rich Kontny_8

Depends

On budgeting at that time. Circuit setters on large systems are necessary. Smaller systems with reverse return systems and some old two pipe systems were set up to be self balancing. Think of the old gravity hot water systems before pumps. (they were master pieces.)

You did mention modifications which can totally throw out a well designed reverse return or old gravity system.Dan and others give good lessons about these systems at their seminars. Course of the least resistance was the principle rule prior to pumps and circuit setters.

On in-floor I like to keep the same length loops and use reverse return in order to eliminate the need for balancing valves etc.

This job sounds like a little bit like a nightmare as balancing works fine if everything is open. Start zoning or putting in TRVs and then the rules can change!

Good luck this is an interesting post and something us fossil farts have all dealt with at some point in time.

Rich K.

Rich Kontny_8

Depends