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Single loop single pump snowmelt

CBRob
CBRob Member Posts: 273
The typical system I've seen uses a primary secondary loop, along with a condensing boiler and glycol as needed.

With a good condensing boiler that can take very cold return temps is it any advantage to run a single loop and a single pump?

Does the viscosity of glycol require the primary/ secondary loops to keep the gpm high enough when the system starts cold?

Comments

  • Zman
    Zman Member Posts: 7,561
    CBRob said:


    Does the viscosity of glycol require the primary/ secondary loops to keep the gpm high enough when the system starts cold?

    You already know the answer :)
    "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
    Albert Einstein
    CBRobkcopp
  • CBRob
    CBRob Member Posts: 273
    I thought so...
    was just reading some old posts about how condensing boilers love cold temps....
    thanks Z
  • CBRob
    CBRob Member Posts: 273
    I'm reading up on the whb from lochinvar that you mentioned a couple months ago.

    The piping from the top option could be helpful for me.


    Im looking at the whb 155, is this one that you have used for dedicated snow melt systems?
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,019
    Keep the glycol percentage as low as possible, glycol cost additional pumping power and heat transfer. The boiler will be most efficient when that ;0 degree fluid hits it💰
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Zman
    Zman Member Posts: 7,561
    CBRob said:

    I'm reading up on the whb from lochinvar that you mentioned a couple months ago.

    The piping from the top option could be helpful for me.


    Im looking at the whb 155, is this one that you have used for dedicated snow melt systems?

    The WHB is a good one.
    The provided circulator is variable speed and controlled by the boiler. It will automatically give you the perfect delta t thus reducing the return water temps and maximizing efficiency.
    "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
    Albert Einstein
    CBRob
  • HomerJSmith
    HomerJSmith Member Posts: 2,425
    PexA size is important. If you use 1/2" pexA keep your circuits less than 200' and you can use serpentine or counterflow pattern. If you use 3/4" pexA use a counterflow pattern under 300' per circuit. A counter flow pattern will have only two 180 deg bends per circuit, the other bends would be 90 deg. In a serpentine pattern all bend would be 180 deg. It's easier to bend pex at 90 deg than 180 deg. A counterflow pattern would give you a more even heating across the slab.

    3/4" PexA would lessen the pumping requirement in terms of flow. Be sure and deduct the loss of flow based upon the percentage of glycol mix when looking at a pump curve. Glycol mix is harder to pump than water.

    I am currently using a Lochinvar WHB-155 in a sys that I am doing. I am doing a primary-secondary sys at 40% glycol with 3/4" PexA with 4 circuits with Tekmar slab sensor and control.

    CBRob
  • CBRob
    CBRob Member Posts: 273
    > @HomerJSmith said:
    > PexA size is important. If you use 1/2" pexA keep your circuits less than 200' and you can use serpentine or counterflow pattern. If you use 3/4" pexA use a counterflow pattern under 300' per circuit. A counter flow pattern will have only two 180 deg bends per circuit, the other bends would be 90 deg. In a serpentine pattern all bend would be 180 deg. It's easier to bend pex at 90 deg than 180 deg. A counterflow pattern would give you a more even heating across the slab.
    >
    > 3/4" PexA would lessen the pumping requirement in terms of flow. Be sure and deduct the loss of flow based upon the percentage of glycol mix when looking at a pump curve. Glycol mix is harder to pump than water.
    >
    > I am currently using a Lochinvar WHB-155 in a sys that I am doing. I am doing a primary-secondary sys at 40% glycol with 3/4" PexA with 4 circuits with Tekmar slab sensor and control.

    Will you be using the tekmar control to modulate the boiler?
  • Zman
    Zman Member Posts: 7,561
    5/8" pex is a nice compromise for snowmelt. A good target length would be 250' which works well with 1,000' roll.
    Having the tekmar modulate the boiler is a nice add but not required. It tends to confuse techs that are not fluent in "tekmar".
    "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
    Albert Einstein
    CBRob