Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.
Heat exchanger quality and sizing
Stokehold
Member Posts: 43
I guess all brazed plate heat exchangers are not created equal.
I'll be using two, one zone is a glycol mix.
I know the size and specs., but need to know if there are quality issues between the cheaper units and the more expensive ones (i.e. Brazetek vs.Kelvion). Is it a case of getting what your paying for?
Also, is it OK to use a larger exchanger than necessary? Meaning, if my load is 50,000 BTU and a particular heat exchanger flows 5.0 GPM @ 3.8 PSI pressure drop (10 plate) can I use a 125,000 BTU exchanger (20 plate) rated at 12.6 GPM @ 4.8 PSI drop?
It would be nice to keep overall head losses to a minimum considering I already own some new circulators and am trying to stay within their parameters. If I am understanding correctly, a 3.8 PSI drop in pressure translates to a 8.75 ft. head loss?
I'll be using two, one zone is a glycol mix.
I know the size and specs., but need to know if there are quality issues between the cheaper units and the more expensive ones (i.e. Brazetek vs.Kelvion). Is it a case of getting what your paying for?
Also, is it OK to use a larger exchanger than necessary? Meaning, if my load is 50,000 BTU and a particular heat exchanger flows 5.0 GPM @ 3.8 PSI pressure drop (10 plate) can I use a 125,000 BTU exchanger (20 plate) rated at 12.6 GPM @ 4.8 PSI drop?
It would be nice to keep overall head losses to a minimum considering I already own some new circulators and am trying to stay within their parameters. If I am understanding correctly, a 3.8 PSI drop in pressure translates to a 8.75 ft. head loss?
0
Comments
-
I would agree that you get what you pay for. I've seen some unbelievably cheap plate HX on e bay and some of the wood boiler dealers sites.
I'd guess metal quality and assembly procedures are where the difference shows up. For glycol I would want to be sure of the metals used.
Sounds like you have already found Flat Plate and their free sizer
http://flatplateselect.com/site/pub/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/site/hx/chooseapp.aspx
Oversizing adds cost and at some point I've heard that channel velocities can drop and effect HX.
Bob "hot rod" Rohr
trainer for Caleffi NA
Living the hydronic dream0
Categories
- All Categories
- 86.3K THE MAIN WALL
- 3.1K A-C, Heat Pumps & Refrigeration
- 53 Biomass
- 422 Carbon Monoxide Awareness
- 90 Chimneys & Flues
- 2K Domestic Hot Water
- 5.4K Gas Heating
- 100 Geothermal
- 156 Indoor-Air Quality
- 3.4K Oil Heating
- 63 Pipe Deterioration
- 916 Plumbing
- 6K Radiant Heating
- 381 Solar
- 14.9K Strictly Steam
- 3.3K Thermostats and Controls
- 54 Water Quality
- 41 Industry Classes
- 47 Job Opportunities
- 17 Recall Announcements