The hydraulic separator is a device whose main purpose is to separate the heating and boiler circuits. This, in turn, allows you to smooth out pressure drops and flow rates of the thermal carrier, as well as quickly respond to temperature changes. Most often it is used in systems that are characterized by medium or high power. The hydraulic separator for boilers with several circuits eliminates the need for balancing the system flows of the pumps, because all the elements operate independently of one another. Among other things, one cannot fail to note another very important role. In this case, we are talking about protecting the boiler itself from the action of return water with a very low temperature (the so-called "low temperature corrosion").
Principle of operation
If we talk about such a concept as the principle of work, then it is quite simple. The entire heating system consists of a large and a small circuit. In the case when the necessary amount of heat carrier with a suitable temperature is generated in the boiler, the liquid filling the hydraulic separator starts to move horizontally in it. As soon as the balance in the system is violated (for example, the tap in one of the consumers shuts off), it will begin to move along the small circuit, and the temperature in front of the boiler itself will rise. Automation in response will turn off the device for security purposes. The coolant will move in its normal mode until its temperature drops. Cold liquid will be a signal for the system about the need to turn on the boiler again.
Operating modes
The hydraulic divider can be operated in three main modes. The first of them is activated when the heat demand of the system corresponds to the amount that has already been produced. In the second mode, the heating system needs less heat than has already been generated. In this case, a certain fraction of the liquid is returned to the boiler through a hydraulic separator and signals the automation about a decrease in its power or even a temporary shutdown. The third mode of operation is that the system requires more heat. If this happens, pumps take over part of the heat carrier flow, after which the automation receives a signal about the increase in boiler power.
The main advantages of using the device
As the studies show, the use of a hydraulic separator can increase the term of operation of the boiler by about thirty percent. First of all, this is achieved by providing protection from low temperature corrosion. In addition, the pump life is also increased. An important advantage is the increased reaction of boiler automation to all kinds of changes in conditions. One cannot but emphasize the fact that the device avoids unbalance, because the heating system becomes more hydraulically stable.
conclusions
To summarize, it should be noted that the hydraulic separator operates automatically. In other words, there is no need to configure and adjust it. The boiler is switched on in conditions of a closed flow of the circuit, thereby providing protection against low return water temperature. As for the cost of such a device as a hydraulic divider, the price of the cheapest model is about three thousand rubles.