Brazed Plate Heat exchangers for Domestic Hot water

Mario

I have been thinking of replacing my 15 year old Phase 3 indirect water heater with a Brazed plate heat exchanger.Flatplates diagrams seem incomplete, I have seen the Swep brazed plate heat exchanger in a system 2000 unit but was not able to make a diagram of the way to set it up.My question is what is the proper way to install the unit,I want to utilize a storage tank, ?? #1 what type of tank is best, #2 do I pipe the cold water to the tank or to the inlet of the domestic side of the Xchgr, #3 What method is used to cycle the circulater sending boiler feed water to the Brazed plate unit or more accurately asked where is that stat located?? any information is greatly appreciated, it seams that these units should be "VERY-EFFICIENT"

Weezbo

system 2000 use a smart pump and a slightly diferent tank.

its controls send the heat thru the plate every time it fires basically,the smart pump when told to Go spins the boiler on domestic priority and once its up to temp ,it shoots water into the last zone that called for heat.



p.s. I made an insulated cover for plate exchanger and a cover i painted yellow to looky good

an indirect would be the ticket save a group of "creativity" *~/:)

Rodney Summers

Booster tank

EK uses a bronze pump to move pottable water through the flat plate from and to the tank. What makes you think this is more efficent then a regular indirect? Now you have to run 2 pumps. A Phase III have more surface area then a flat plate for heat transfer. Might be cheaper, since you use a cheap glass lined electric WH for the tank.

hr

Why notanother indirect tank?

I think you do a bit better with the HXinside the tank of water. Plus external plate type of HXers may need yearly acid flushes if your water is hard.

Hard to beat that tank in tank design for excellent heat transfer and ability to handle hard water. The reverse indirects, like Ergomax are another great performing HX for DHW. Hard to beat a tankful of copper tube for heat exchange.

An external HXZ will cost you two circs to operate, one will need to be bronze or stainless so a bit more $$.

Just something to think about.

If you really want external, AO Smith offers a tank with this option ready to install.

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Mario

Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger

My Phase 3 is 15 years old its the cabinet type, The thing that concerns me the most about the phase 3 is that the external tank "IS-NOT" "STAINLESS-STEEL" I installed a Crown indirect in my Brother inlaws house a few years ago. I like the idea that the Internal heat exchanger coil as well as the water tank being stainless steel. I understand that the Brazed plate unit will require a Bronze circulater, but due to it's compact size and very efficient heat transfer quality's, is'nt it safe to assume that there should be a worthwhile savings on fuel oil usage??? I am concerned about pushing my luck with a water leak with this Phase 3, it has worked fine in over 15 years, but I would rather be safe than sorry, If I don't get a Brazed plate Heat Exchanger setup I will go with The Crown unit or a Storex brand its for my house and My concern is Quality I don't mind spending the Extra $$$.

hr

The protection for the steel outer

tank comes from the quality of the boiler water. Same for the very thin metal expansion tank. I always recomend cleaning the boiler side of the system and adding a good hydronic conditioner.

15 years seems like a very good life for that tank. Sounds like it is still working leak free?? It could have another 5-10 yers in it.

I highly doubt you will get 15 years out of a basic water heater with an external HX.

True, plate type HX's are very efficient WHEN the transfer surfaces are clean. Hard water takes a toll on these small passages quickly. Test your water's hardness, and install the HX so it can be serviced and flushed easily.

Webstone makes an excellent valve for this use.

One of my customers removes his external HX every year and takes it to a radiator shop for a cooking. Costs him 15 bucks and makes a big difference in performance he tells me.

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