Sizing Buffer tank

Andy Morgan_2

was exactly my thought. Just not sure of the size.

Andy

Andy Morgan_2

Buffer Tank

I'm doing a job thats a mix of high temp baseboard, low temp radiant, and a 60gal indirect. Boiler is a TT Solo 110, along with an indoor Biasi wood boiler. Total load is about 85K BTU's, not including the indirect. I want to use a dual coil indirect (buffer tank) to integrate the 2 boilers into the system. The problem is I'm not sure how to size the buffer tank, and the simplest way to control the firing of the 2 boilers. Wood is now the primary heat source for this job.

Thanks
Andy Morgan
Riverside Mechanical, LLC

[Deleted User]

hydraulic seperator

Instead of a buffer try a hydraulic separrator and primary secondary piping. might be a easier way to pipe the system

Steamhead (in transit)

Yeah, but

with a wood boiler, don't we need a dump zone (buffer tank) since the house might not be able to absorb all the heat from one wood firing cycle, especially in mild weather?

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Unknown

buffer or storage?

Andy, why do want to use an duel coil indirect? Do you really need to separate with an hx? I would incorporate as much storage as is practical. Wood burns most efficiently Hot. I loath the sight of a dampered down wood burning appliance. But judging from the thick smoke I see coming from some of the houses around here (especially shoulder season) it seems like many wood boilers and stoves are oversized, O2 starved operation is the result.

Consider ODR mixdown from the storage tank, as part of the design.

Andy Morgan_2

Then

what would be the best way to tie in the gas boiler, and control it? I'm open for suggestions!

Andy

Joe Billow_6

This may not be the text book answer but I have done a few of these and used a standard indirect piped as part of the primary circuit. This seems to work well I set the controls like any primary/secondary but also use the indirect aquastat to control the HX pump from the wood boiler and a high cut-in on the HX. I think that you get the best of both worlds good burn times out of the wood boiler and a limited dump zone. I have debated the dual coils though.

joel_28

buffer

just get a Tarm 400 gallon buffer tank simple and effective.

Bruce M_2

Contact Tarm

Tarm makes tanks from 400 - 1500 gallons. Call them at 1-800-STAY WARM. They will help you with the correct size tanks.