Chemical Feed Units

Mitch Weiss

I just want to thank you guys for for help on this issue. Escpecially the message about 1 gal/100 of system. I spoke to a few sales reps today who also repeated that rule of thumb. I ended up getting the most help from Neptune Water Treatment.
Thanks.
-MW

Mitch Weiss

Help on sizing Chemical Feed Units

Hi all. I am desisigning a hydronic heating system for the first time and I need some help. How do you size up a packaged chemical feed unit. I can't seem to find any standards or methods. I spoke to two sales reps and they don't know how to do the sizing.
Any help you can offer will be appreicated.
Thank you
-MW

Bob_19

Chemical Feed

Depending on the size of the system, from residental, a 1 gallon single shot feeder, up to larger commercial, 5 gallon feeder.
How much do you expect do have to inject at one time?
A chemical rep could steer you in that direction. Ratio of chemical required to gallons of water.

Gary Xavier

chemical feeders

Most hysdronic systems use a small amount of corrosion inhibitor, and if the system is tight, it should not need additional chemical treatment for several years. I suggest simply making sure there is a hose bib that can be used to connect a hand force pump, then pump in a few ounces of chemical when needed. The worst thing that can be done is to overtreat these systems, be very careful adding chemicals. The best pump I ever found for this use is made by Silver King in PA. (called a force and suction pump, looks like a bicycle tire pump).

Gary Xavier

chemical feeders

By the way, for commercial jobs, the rule of thumb is 1 gallon of feeder capacity to every 100 gallons of water in the system. My dislike for feeders is because when there is one on the system, people tend to add chemicals more often, and they are often overtreated.

David Van Wickler_3

Glycol feed ?

WHat are you trying to acomplish? If it's to maintain pressure on a system a 20gallon tank and a single high pressure low flow pump will do the trick. Packaged units are avaliable but they are $$.

The Colorado Madman has used an expansion tank with a pressure reducing valve set-up - overpressurize the tank with glycol (basically bottoming out the bladder. and connect it to the system If the pressure reducing valve is set for the system pressure then as the pressure is lost the reducing valve will allow the overpressurized tank to make up the difference.

Ohhhhhh Madman, where are youuuuuuuu.

D "missing the road warriors and radiant contractor junkies" VW

Bob_19

Good Point

Gary says it all. Testing is very important, typically on startup and prior to shutdown will help you control your residual levels at the manufactures specifications.

Also We had a 2.5/gl feeder for a 90,000sq/ft building, only had to feed chemicals 3 times in 8 yrs, and 1 was for maintenance draining.

eleft_4

NM

Gary Xavier

feeder photo

Interesting feeder. Is it in the make-up water line?

hot_rod

Whatta ya putting

in that system and why? As the others mentioned, a good CLEANED, tight, closed loop system really shouldn't need much treatment. Done correctly, at first start up, a hydronic system should be fine for years and years.

If, for whatever reason, the system would be drained or cut into on a frequent basis, allowing O2 in, then constant monitoring and treatment may be needed.

Be careful that any chemical treatment is compatiable with ALL the materials in the system. New high efficiency equipment, these days, may have a wide range of metals. Aluminum in the mix is one to watch and care for. Good luck.

hot rod