Wood Boiler with thermal storage

James Day_2

Hey guys,

I have an econburn wood boiler tied into my existing weil mclain oil boiler. It has 3 zones. all zoned with circulators on the supply after the expansion tank.  The wood boiler is teed into the existing boiler. the supply on the wood boiler ties into the return on the oil boiler. the supply on the oil boiler before the zone pumps, but after the expansion tank tees and feeds the return on the wood boiler. There is a circulator on the return of the wood boiler that sort of creates a primary circuit between the two boilers which runs all the time as long as the temp in the wood boiler is above 130.  I would like to add a thermal storage tank into the system not sure how to pipe it into the whole setup.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

thanks, James

Ironman

Need a Diagram or Pics...

Of what you have, particularly near boiler piping.



Is the wood boiler pressurized or open to atmosphere?

Tom Blackwell_2

Advantages

For the thermal storage to help the situation it would need to be in series with the wood burner, So the wood fired boiler could charge the storage during firing and coast when the load does not require it. The Econoburn would be most efficient near full firing rate and wood burners do not do well when choked to limit output. In other words, the loop that includes the wood burner should also include thermal storage.

hot_rod

does the oil boiler have a tankless coil?

if so you need to keep the oil boiler hot, with the wood boiler input. I prefer a primary secondary approach. So the wood only heats the load or buffer, never the un-fired oil boiler.



The buffer could be tied into the wood boiler, keep in mind return temperature protection, unless you have an OWF?



hr

meplumber

Check wood boiler manufacturer's for piping diagram

Jim,

I got some great piping diagrams from what used to be HS Tarm.  I think they are called BioHeat USA now.  Their website had some great piping options for integrating solid and fossil fuel systems.  Maybe one of them fits your application.

Tom in Maine

Wood Boiler Tanks

We provide the square unpressurized tanks for Tarm USA (formerly BioheatUSA).

If you haven't already got plumbing diagrams, feel free to email me.



tom@americansolartechnics.com

Tom in Maine

Wood Boiler Tanks

We provide the square unpressurized tanks for Tarm USA (formerly BioheatUSA).

If you haven't already got plumbing diagrams, feel free to email me.



tom@americansolartechnics.com