Almost all manufacturers of heat generators (boilers or boilers) began to use in their latest models such simple equipment as a chimney draft stabilizer. Most often, this device is called as a fungus.
Brief description of the device
The main functions of this fungus are the following:
- ensuring stable pressure in the combustion chamber;
- getting rid of too high traction, which increases the overall efficiency of the heat generator;
- protects the device if, for any reason, back draft occurs;
- It automatically controls a parameter such as chimney draft.
The chimney draft stabilizer is called a fungus due to the fact that its design strongly resembles a mushroom. The chimney pipe is closed with an umbrella cap. Under this part is a sensor that works automatically. It records the temperature of the gases leaving the boiler. In the event of a decrease in draft or the inverse effect, gas will begin to accumulate under the hood, which will significantly increase the temperature. Upon passing a certain temperature threshold, the device will work and turn off the boiler, shutting off the gas supply to its burner.
Device Specifics
The chimney draft stabilizer is a device that, due to its properties, can affect the air velocity inside the chimney. This function is carried out due to the fact that it mixes a certain amount of cold atmospheric air into the stream of gases leaving the boiler through the pipe. During this operation, the traction is stabilized in the system. In addition, the stabilizer has an additional element that monitors the pressure inside the pipeline. This part is presented as a shutter. It performs the function of controlling the pressure inside the system so that this parameter does not exceed a certain predetermined norm. If this happens, then the destruction of the channel.
Application
You can use the chimney draft stabilizer for a solid fuel boiler in almost any case and for any model. In order to increase the service life of the device, manufacturers are trying to manufacture their stainless steel appliances. The main advantages that are key are resistance to high temperatures, as well as to burnout. The positive qualities of use also include the fact that the operation of the device proceeds in a fully automatic mode, which eliminates the need for control by the user. The maximum gas temperature that the chimney draft stabilizer can withstand is 500 degrees Celsius. It is worth noting that you can install such a device on boilers that belong to the category of condensing ones. The operating temperature in these types of heat generating units is much lower than in solid fuel. You can also add that installing a chimney draft stabilizer is quite simple and everyone can do it on their own.
The main purpose of the unit
It is important to understand that for each individual boiler it is necessary to draw an individual pipeline line through which the combustion products will leave. The effectiveness of such a channel and stabilizer will depend on the quality of the assembly, as well as on some external factors. One of the main examples was the effect of atmospheric pressure on the traction in the channel. The lower this value, the worse the craving will manifest itself.
Another observation suggests that thrust increases if hot gas moves toward cold air. This means that in winter it will be higher. The main purpose of the stabilizer is to reduce the influence of such factors on traction and make it stable at any time. This device is able to independently change the pressure indicator. It was also noted that the presence of such a device in the system saves at least 10% of fuel, which is considered a pretty good indicator. If you have a draft stabilizer draft chimney, you can make it yourself.
Device operation
In fact, the principle of operation of this device is quite simple and primitive. If the draft in the chimney system increases, then the pressure inside the pipe will increase. In order to reduce this figure and return the thrust to normal values, the device has a valve. In case of too much pressure, this element opens, allowing more cold air to enter the heat sink network. Mixing with the exhaust gases, the air lowers the temperature, thereby reducing the pressure. When this parameter drops to the desired level, the system registers this and automatically closes the valve, again reducing the intake of air from the outside. It is this process that allows you to maintain the desired temperature inside the system, which positively affects the rate of combustion of the fuel, and hence its economy.
Why do I need to install a stabilizer?
There are several main points that indicate in favor of the fact that the installation of a stabilizer is necessary:
- increase system operation safety;
- increase in service life;
- reduction of harmful emissions into the air;
- reduction in the amount of soot that settles in the chimney;
- elimination of the possibility of sudden changes in pressure inside the network.
In addition, if the system is equipped with a draft stabilizer, air circulation will be significantly improved. This leads to the fact that less combustion products will settle on the walls of the chimney, which means that you will have to spend less on cleaning it. It is important to note that the presence of this device will solve problems with sharp pressure drops in windy weather.
It is during such periods that a sharp change in this parameter is most often observed, due to which the flame can sharply go the other way. Such a problem as burning smell in the room where the boiler is installed is completely eliminated. A very important point is maintaining a stable temperature inside the chimney itself, which eliminates the possibility of ignited soot inside the pipe igniting. Often this process can lead to a severe fire, and therefore its elimination is a big plus to the safety of the whole house.
DIY chimney draft stabilizer. Build start
The assembly of this unit with your own hands is not excluded, however, for the implementation of this process, it is necessary to have skills in working with the welding machine. The main material for the production of the device will be sheet stainless steel. The minimum thickness of the raw material should be 1 mm. If we talk about the size of this sheet, then here you need to choose each individually. The only requirement is that the dimensions of the material should be enough to make a cylinder from it, the diameter of which will be equal to the diameter of the chimney. In addition, you need to leave a small piece of sheet steel, then to use it as a damper. The dimensions of this element should be equal to the inner diameter of the pipe. Additional materials will require things such as rivets, nuts, and stainless steel studs.
How to assemble with your own hands?
In order not to make a mistake during assembly, it is best to draw up a draft of the chimney draft stabilizer with your own hands. According to a ready-made plan, assembly will be much easier.
The first stage is the welding of the stabilizer body. This work must be done using a rectangular stainless steel blank. When welding, it is best to overlap it so that the seam is completely tight. After welding, you need to check the quality of all the seams, as well as conduct their cleaning. After that, you can begin to manufacture a valve or damper. An important nuance - in the closed state, this part should not completely block the pipe. In order to avoid this, several slots are made in the shutter. Their total size should not exceed 15% of the inner diameter of the entire pipe.
End of assembly
After arranging the slots, it is necessary to return to the cylinder and make two holes in it. Through these holes, a stainless steel stud is inserted inside, to which the damper is attached. In order to attach the stud to the cylinder, several stainless steel nuts must be used.
A small handle is attached to the end of the stud, which can be used to adjust the position of the shutter inside the cylinder. If necessary, you can install a stainless steel rivet, which will be used as a limiter for valve movement. After this, it is necessary to carry out a rolling operation for the edges of the cylinder so that the diameter becomes slightly less than the diameter of the pipeline. This is done so that it can be mounted inside the system. The device itself is attached with clamps.
The price of chimney draft stabilizers varies from 1900 rubles to 11 500 rubles.
Purchased Devices
Naturally, not everyone has the time, ability or ability to work with a welding machine to make this device. Such people most often acquire ready-made models of devices. One of the most common and high-quality ones is the chimney draft stabilizer from Darco. This company produces stabilizers such as RCO, which are designed for installation in round types of chimneys. The fixture of the device is due to the use of clamps. The device itself is installed on the very edge of the chimney pipe. Any person can handle this type of installation.
But the series of RCR stabilizers will require some refinement during their installation. It is also attached by clamps, but its location is very different. It must be fixed directly to the boiler output. If we talk about the production and supply of such devices in the Russian Federation, then on the Internet there is a platform store located in Voronezh. The chimney draft stabilizers sold by this company are also pretty good.