Electric ion (electrode) boilers are designed to work in autonomous heating systems. The fundamental difference between devices and models with a heater is a special type of heater, which is a block of electrodes. Innovative types of automation have made it possible to improve traditional heating devices and create modern electrode boilers based on them. The feedback from experienced users and the opinions of independent experts will help us get to know the technical characteristics, varieties and prices of the most famous models.
The principle of operation of electrode boilers
Heating of the coolant in the heating system occurs due to the splitting of water molecules. Received as a result of this process, uncharged ions actively move, rushing to the positive and negative electrodes, while emitting a large amount of energy. As a result, it turns out that the electric electrode boiler increases the temperature of the liquid without the use of heating elements.
The heating process is accompanied by a decrease in the electrical resistance of the conductor. This can lead to a dangerous situation - electric arc breakdown. To prevent an undesirable phenomenon, a certain amount of sodium chloride should be added to the coolant. The size of the proportions is always indicated in the passport to the boilers. The increase in power in the electrode assemblies occurs simultaneously with the heating of the coolant. The increase in current is directly proportional to the decrease in electrical resistance.
Features of home use
Ion boilers can be integrated into existing heating systems. But before doing this, it is necessary to take a series of preventive actions that prevent the rapid wear of the device. A prerequisite should be flushing the system and filtering the coolant.
As practice shows, you can connect electrode heating boilers in combination with other types of heating devices (solid fuel or gas appliances). If necessary, several ionic units can be connected in parallel to the system.
Primary performance of electrode heating devices
The operation of an autonomous heat source allows you to control not only the microclimate and thermoregulation in the house, but also the cost of heat. At the same time, electrode boilers have a number of obvious advantages compared to heating elements and induction devices.
Efficiency
All the water that enters the electric electrode boiler is heated almost instantly and in full. Due to the absence of uncontrolled inertia of heating the coolant in the structure, a very high level of efficiency is achieved - up to 98%.
Durability
The constant contact of the electrodes with the heat transfer fluid does not lead to the formation of a scale layer. And, accordingly, the rapid failure of the heater. This is due to the fact that the design of the device is constantly changing polarity - alternating movement of ions in different directions at a speed of 50 times per second.
Compactness
The principle of electrode heating of the liquid makes it possible to reduce the volume of the heat generator several times in comparison with the heating elements of the same power. The small size and light weight of the equipment are very beneficial features that marked electrode boilers. The reviews of experienced users confirm the convenience of using household appliances, ease of installation and the possibility of their location in any premises.
Management automation
The presence on the external panel of the apparatus of a digital adjustment unit allows you to intelligently control the intensity of the boiler. Functioning in a given mode helps to save up to 40% of electric energy in a house.
Fire safety
In the event of a depressurization of the system or a water leak, you can not be afraid of electric shock. There will be no current flow without the coolant, so the boiler simply stops working.
Noiselessness
The absence of sound vibrations ensures quiet operation.
Ecological perfection
The principle of operation of the electrode boiler implies the complete absence of combustion products or other types of waste. No fuel supply is also required.
Negative moments in the operation of ion heat generators
As most users emphasize in their reviews, for all their attractiveness, electric electrode heating boilers have certain disadvantages in the device and operation:
- the need to use only prepared water with specified resistivity parameters creates difficulties in achieving compliance with the standards;
- the inability to use alternative types of coolants - antifreeze, distilled water or oil;
- for normal operation of the boiler, it is necessary to ensure constant circulation of the coolant in the system, otherwise, with a decrease in the speed of movement, water can boil, and with an increased increase in flow, the boiler will not be able to start;
- stainless electrodes are able to work for a long time without failures, but gradually they still dissolve in water, so it is very important to monitor their condition and make timely replacements.
In addition, a significant disadvantage can also be considered the high cost of electrical energy. However, if it is not possible to organize a gas or solid fuel heating circuit in the area of residence, the electrode heating system may become the only reliable source of heat in the house.
What ensures the efficiency and reliability of ionic heating devices
Electrode boilers for a private house are in any case a profitable purchase. High profitability in their work consists of a combination of several indicators:
- reduced inertia of heating;
- a single increase in temperature of the entire volume of the coolant;
- construction of a two-pipe system of a closed type;
- the use of automation to control the temperature of the coolant and ambient air in the room;
- simple design using innovative materials;
- high efficiency of the boiler.
Due to what else is the savings in the operation of electrical appliances?
Regular maintenance and technical work are those services that electrode boilers practically do not need. User reviews also note a lower cost of ionic units compared to other types of electric heating.
Electrode boilers "Galan" - worthy representatives of domestic heat engineering
Among the large number of ionic electric units manufactured in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, devices assembled according to the standards of military equipment stand out noticeably. The practical implementation is based on the conversion development of industrial enterprises that produce heating units for navy ships.
Structurally, the electrode heating boiler for the Galan brand house is a cylindrical body made of rolled steel with a diameter of 6 cm and a length of 31 cm. Concentric tubular electrodes are located inside, through which current is supplied to the coolant. Well-heated water through forced circulation is carried intensively through pipes and batteries. After reaching the optimum fluid flow rate, the pump can be turned off.
Advantages of ion devices :
Electrode boilers "Galan" are able to independently adjust to power consumption and turn off if the specified temperature parameters are exceeded. Protective automation is also triggered when a short circuit occurs, overheating of the supply wires or a coolant leak.
For the harsh climatic conditions of Western Siberia, the best choice of individual heating is the Galan electrode boiler. The price of the device is very affordable - in comparison with other types of electrical analogues - and does not exceed 20 thousand rubles.
Especially for the models of "Galan" boilers several years ago, a special coolant was developed - antifreeze "Flow". The distinctive qualities of the innovative fluid are enrichment with additives that prevent the formation of scale on the walls of the heat generator. For ordinary water, a mixture has been developed for flushing the system, which successfully dissolves rust, scale and protects the internal surfaces from possible corrosion.
The younger brother of the ion boiler
The family of electrical units "Galan" includes several varieties of heating appliances. They include the electrode boiler "Hearth". It has the smallest dimensions compared to other models. The mass of the device is only five hundred grams. The volume of coolant in the system is 70 liters. In this case, the "baby" is able to develop power up to 5 kW, which allows you to effectively heat the room up to two hundred cubic meters.
Geyser and Vulcan devices with a working power of 9 to 50 kW are known on the market. The basis for their development also became the electrode boiler "Galan". The price of units, depending on capacity, is in the range of 3500-14 000 rubles, which cannot but be attractive to potential buyers.
What is an EOE electrode boiler?
An energy-saving flow-through heating system differs from similar electrode devices in an increased level of reliability and durability. Excellent performance of EOU is achieved thanks to the main material - thick-walled pipe rolling. For the production of electrodes, a more reliable material is also used, which allows creating a heat flow inside the boiler at an increased speed. The large diameter of the rods also helps to increase the productivity of the heating device.
Unlike other types of ionic heat generators, the EOE electrode boiler is a wide range, which causes additional interest of buyers. It is noteworthy that the units can work in closed heating systems without involving a circulation pump. The ionization chamber has small dimensions, therefore, it undergoes a sharp heating of the coolant and, accordingly, an increase in pressure to two atmospheres.
The temperature sensor associated with the relay provides a specific mode of operation for which the electrode boilers are configured. The feedback from experienced owners confirms that the time of active operation of the EOU boiler is only two to nine hours a day. Without a doubt, such indicators relate to the undoubted advantages of the heating device.
Self-made electric ion heat generator
Having the basic skills of repair and electrical work, as well as having studied the thermal heating circuit, it is quite possible to make an electrode boiler yourself. The price of such an installation will differ by an order of magnitude when compared with the factory unit. In addition, this work will be an invaluable experience.
First of all, you need to decide how the electrode boiler circuit will be included in the overall system. Typically, several options are considered:
- single-phase connection;
- three phase connection;
- parallel ligament;
- integration of automatic control and adjustment units.
You can also make an electrode boiler with your own hands, and then use it for hot water supply or a floor heating device.
Materials that will be needed in the work:
- stainless steel pipe with a length of 250 mm and a diameter of 80-100 mm;
- welding unit;
- electrodes
- neutral wire and ground terminals;
- insulators for electrodes and terminals;
- metal tee and coupling.
Before you begin to create an electrode device, you should understand a few important points:
- the boiler body must be earthed;
- only the neutral wire comes out of the external pipe from the network;
- the phase must be supplied exclusively to the electrode.
Installation work
The main stages of the construction of an ion boiler.
1. The scheme of the heating network is planned. There is a choice:
- single-circuit - designed only for heating;
- double-circuit - provides heating and water heating for household needs.
2. Installation and grounding of the electrode boiler successfully neutralizes static electricity.
3. The selection and installation of heating radiators, the material of which normally interacts with water.
4. The device of automatic adjustment devices.
Technological process
Steel pipe serves as the basis of the boiler. A block of electrodes is placed in its middle with a tee. On the other side of the pipe, a sleeve is attached, which serves as a connection to the pipe.
An insulating layer must be placed between the tee and the electrodes. Its role is thermal protection and tightness of the case. For this purpose, heat-resistant plastic is used, at the ends of which a thread connecting to the electrode and the tee should be made.
From the outside of the boiler, a screw is welded to which the zero terminal and ground will be attached. For greater reliability, it is recommended to attach one or two bolts. The appearance of the resulting design looks unattractive. To hide it from the eyes, you can issue a decorative finish with the properties of electrical protection. In addition, the facade coating will limit undesired access to the device.
Thus, you can easily assemble the electrode boiler with your own hands. Then it remains to embed the device into the heating system, fill it with water and turn on the heating.
Let's summarize
Having dealt with the device and the principle of operation of electrode boilers in detail, several important conclusions can be drawn.
The possibility of economically achieving a high power level and rapid heating of large volumes of water has a great influence on the overall dimensions of heat generators. Compact devices with minimal weight can be easily installed anywhere in the house.
If there is a need to heat a room with a large area (500 or more square meters), it is quite possible to create a circuit for connecting several electrode boilers. One more positive point should be noted - with the installation of ionic electric heating, permission and control of boiler inspection are not required.
Of all the existing heating appliances, an electrode boiler seems to be the most acceptable solution. Simple and economical equipment is able to give warmth to our home and warm up hot water for domestic needs.