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Ghost flow solutions

Steve Thompson (ST)
Steve Thompson (ST) Member Posts: 7
in THE MAIN WALL
I'm thinking it might be an oversized primary circ. If oversized, your off zone circs will allow flow past the circ (the check will only stop reverse flow, not foreward flow). If you want to stop foreward flow a "flow check" or spring loaded check valve would be required - the checks built into circ bodies have very low break open pressure, probably causing ghost flows.

This might be a good application for a "Smart ECM" circ, that lowers it's head as flow demand decreases.

Comments

  • mtfallsmikey
    mtfallsmikey Member Posts: 765
    Starting to see

    A lot of ghost flow problems on some of the wood boiler installs I've been going over for a local contractor. All open systems, all involving hydrocoils, P/S piping, no zone valves,check valves (IFC or external), flow control valves, or thermal loops...just secondary circs. running on demand from the t-stat. Search turned up an interesting tidbit about some problems with Taco IFC's..What is a good solution, which device works best?
  • mtfallsmikey
    mtfallsmikey Member Posts: 765
    Good possibility

    In most of these cases, 1" primary loop from OWB, Taco 009 pumps, anywhere from 70'-150' runs. I've wondered about the whole P/S concept when used on open systems like these vs. pressurized, never seen that discussed. Installing contractor (before reading Dan's books) would pipe the primary loop directly to a HX,or hydrocoil.
  • Nelson_6
    Nelson_6 Member Posts: 24
    OWB and hydrocoil

    Hey guys,
    I just purchased a Hawken energy boiler (OWB) and will be heating 2 homes with it. I have a hydrocoil in one of the buildings. I know I'll have to add a circulator off my primary loop...with an IFC, but are you suggesting flow control on both sides of the HX? I haven't seen to many designs for the Hx application. I'll be heating domestic hot water the same way with an indirect...I thought i'd try a 3 way zone valve for that. It sounds like you are suggesting blocking all possible residual flow through the heat exchangers. It's obvious if the water flows directly through the coil as some manufacturers suggest it will tax the primary circs....any thoughts? thanks
    Haigan
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