It is impossible to feel comfort even in the most comfortable and modern apartment, if the room is cold. Therefore, the priority should be the arrangement of an effective heating system. Heating should provide the most pleasant microclimate, since excessively high temperatures are even worse than cold. In order not to fall into such extremes, engineers created a simple, but functional and practical device. This is a bypass valve. People far from heating may not be aware of the existence of such a device. Let's find out what it is, why, and how it works.
What it is?
This device is a jumper tube, which is mounted between the direct and reverse wiring of the heating battery. The transverse diameter is smaller than the size of the main pipe.
Appointment
The main function of the bypass valve is to return excess water back to the riser from the radiators when a manual or automatic regulator measures the volume of coolant. The latter, using this valve, moves parallel to the control and shutoff valves.
If heating systems did not have this device, then repair of radiators would be impossible at the moment the system was in working condition. Valves simplify filling and emptying processes.
In addition, the installation of a bypass for heating ensures reliable operation of the equipment when there is no electricity in the network. At the time of a power outage, the bypass shuts off the taps that supply the coolant to the pump. And on the main pipe the central crane is turned away. Using bypass, you do not have to turn the cranes by hand. With this device, everything will happen automatically. This is a huge plus - users say.
Operating principle
Most often, single-pipe heating systems are installed in apartments. In such systems, the heat transfer of the first radiator affects the operation of the next. This is true for vertical as well as horizontal layout. If there is no bypass, the batteries will be connected in series. As a result, the first battery will take all the heat, and the rest will get a warm, if not cold, coolant at best.
To prevent this, the supply and return pipes near each radiator are connected by a jumper that directs part of the water to bypass the battery. The principle of operation of the bypass valve is to give the same amount of heat to the near and far radiators and reduce their dependence on each other.
Varieties
Bypasses are used in a wide variety of heating systems. Two main types can be distinguished - with or without a check valve:
- The first are used with circulation pumps. Involve them as needed. When the pump is running, the valve turns on and opens, and then, under the pressure created by the pump, it passes the coolant.
- Valveless bypasses make it possible to repair one part of the system without shutting down the entire heating system.
This device can perform several functions and can be used in different ways. Below we will consider what the bypass valve is responsible for in various heating systems schemes.
Single pipe heating bypass
In heating systems, this device helps to form alternative coolant flows bypassing the heating main and components. In multi-storey buildings, the valve will help in the process of repairing batteries in the winter. By redirecting the flow to bypass, it is possible to freely replace or repair the structural part of the system. You can install the device in any part of the heating line.
In addition, in single pipe systems, a bypass
valve controls heat transfer. The main function is to remove excess coolant back to the riser when the thermostat changes the volume of the coolant. Another function is to speed up the filling and emptying of the system even when the manual control valves are not installed.
With a temporary lack of electricity in systems with a circulation pump, the installation of a bypass for heating ensures uninterrupted operation. Due to the control valve, the system will operate in natural mode.
Often, with the help of these devices, one-pipe heating is improved. The use of bypass is relevant in old houses built during the USSR. These houses are already outdated, and in apartments it can be very hot in winter. To optimize the temperature regime, this valve is used. After installation, you can adjust the flow rate of the coolant.
It works as follows. Water enters the system from the boiler or from the central heating boiler, sequentially, but bypassing it, it bypasses radiators. When she finishes her circle, she will return back to the cauldron. Due to heat transfer, the temperature of the liquid decreases significantly, and then the coolant enters the radiators.
Features of the use of bypasses in two-pipe systems
Such heating systems can work in different ways. But here, it is useful to install a bypass valve. It will make it much easier to control the process of movement of the coolant. If necessary, you can control the filling of radiators. Heat control is also possible.
Mounting
After we have studied what a bypass valve is in heating, you should find out the features of the installation. During installation, certain factors should be taken into account, on which the efficiency of the heating system depends.
So, the diameter of the valve should be smaller than the size of the heating pipe. The temperatures at the bypass mounting locations should be the lowest. The device should be brought as close as possible to the battery, and, on the contrary, should be removed from the riser. Installing a bypass valve horizontally completely avoids air entering the system. For operational dismantling, the presence of shut-off elements on the bypass is necessary.
Installation of a bypass channel for radiators
When installing new batteries in a one-pipe heating system, the first thing to do is to ensure that fluid can be drained. Then the radiator body kit is assembled - an old cast iron is cut out with a grinder, unnecessary sections of pipes with idle taps are unscrewed. Next, the thread is cut and the structure is assembled from a tee, extension cord, as well as ball valves.
Installation with a circulation pump
If it is necessary to install a circulation pump, then a filter must be provided.
Depending on the type of pump, a suitable bypass is selected. In the case of a pump that has a rotor contact with a heat transfer medium, a bypass is installed on the return and supply lines. When the pump rotor does not come into contact with water, then the bypass is placed only on the return pipe.
Savings with Bypass
Installation of a bypass valve will lead not only to a more comfortable operation of the heating system, but also to save electricity. So, on average, the volume of coolant in systems equipped with a valve grows by 30-35 percent. This increases the overall heat dissipation of the batteries.
Finally
Now it’s clear how the bypass valve works, where and in what cases to use it. Experts recommend installing this device in all modern heating systems. Bypass valve greatly simplifies the operation of the heating system and makes it possible to repair individual units without completely shutting it off, which is very convenient.