Heating devices that use fuel combustion to generate heat are not able to function without a flue duct.
Need to use
The last of the above elements gets rid of toxic combustion products, which can be dangerous to human health. But the flue gases that leave the unit through the pipe, escaping into the atmosphere, take away heat in large quantities. It could be used for space heating. In order to fix this drawback, a heat exchanger is installed on the chimney pipe. This device can significantly increase the efficiency of the heating device.
Main varieties
Today there are several varieties of heat exchangers, their design is approximately similar, which can be said about the principle of operation of these devices. They have a hollow body that has inlet and outlet nozzles. The brake device is located inside, it is designed for flue gases. This system most often consists of shutters with cutouts that are mounted on the axles. Elements can be rotated, forming a zigzag gas duct of different lengths. Correcting the position of the dampers allows you to choose the most appropriate ratio of thrust in the pipe and heat transfer efficiency. At the same time, operating safety standards are not violated at all. There are also the simplest options for heat exchangers that do not have adjustable shutters in the composition.
Principle of operation
If you plan to install the heat exchanger on the chimney pipe, you should familiarize yourself with the principle of operation of this device. The holes located at the bottom of the device draw in cold air, using the principle of convection. Air masses pass through the internal space, gases are heated. Through the holes located above, the heated air is pumped into the heated room. This allows you to significantly increase the efficiency of the device, reducing the amount of fuel consumed. As practice shows, the fuel consumption of a "potbelly stove" with a heat exchanger installed in the chimney is reduced by 3 times.
The heat exchanger on the chimney pipe can be installed only after the selection of the device. It should not be forgotten that when the heat is released in the gas duct, the combustion products cool down quickly. This causes a decrease in the temperature difference in the pipe, the drop in traction in the system occurs instantly. In order to exclude the appearance of this effect, adjustments are made with dampers or the most suitable design size is selected.
Varieties of heat exchangers depending on the material
If you decide to install the heat exchanger on the chimney pipe, it is important to decide which model will be used. There are several varieties of such devices, depending on the material in the base. The most optimal is food grade stainless steel, which is also called austenitic. Its characteristics are not affected by difficult conditions, for example, elevated temperatures, but the seams from welding do not crack, the reaction of nickel and oxygen leads to the formation of a film layer on the surface, which is highly resistant to acids and salts.
If you install a heat exchanger on the chimney pipe for heating from such a material, then the device will turn out to be the most durable. But it is better to refuse zinc if the temperature acting on it exceeds 200 degrees. After evaporation begins, and the temperature is above 500 degrees, the concentration of harmful substances will exceed the maximum permissible level. However, if a zinc profile is available, the heat exchanger is best tested. It is important to understand at what temperature it will heat up. If this limit is not more than 200 degrees, then do not worry.
This profile has an advantage, which is expressed in the fact that the material contributes to an increase in the intensity of movement of air flowing around the compensator. This option is perfect if you need to warm up the room quickly enough. But such a need should not arise quite often. It is best not to install a zinc heat exchanger on the chimney pipe in the bath, since the temperature of the exposure can be quite high. It is best to use a similar device for a stove in the country, which will be operated from time to time.
Installation
Two modes of operation of the chimney heat exchanger can be distinguished, each of them differs in a certain heat transfer inside. The first option is to connect a portable water tank to the heat exchanger that needs to be heated. Compensation will occur on the inner pipe, and the heat exchanger will be heated by heat from steam. This option will allow water to heat up for a rather long time, since the temperature on the walls will be equal to 100 degrees. If you decide to install the heat exchanger on the chimney pipe with your own hands, then you can use the technology “pipe on tin”. The essence of this option is that the chimney will be with a pipe of metal or copper, which warms up itself and heats the air passing through it. Using argon welding or a torch, you can weld such a spiral to the chimney. Tin will act as a binder, but it must be degreased with phosphoric acid. This adhesion will be durable and strong.
Using the hood for the attic
You can buy a heat exchanger for a chimney pipe in St. Petersburg at an affordable price. If you decide to do the work yourself, then the installation may involve the installation of a hood that will work on the principle of a furnace with the appropriate name. Such a system works quite simply. The operation is that the discharged air will tend to go up, and the cooled air will go down. This option will be an excellent solution for simple chimneys made of metal, which are located in the area of the second floor.
With a cap, you can reduce the risk of fire or burns. In order to ensure the accumulation of heat, some craftsmen surround heat exchangers of this type with a grid with stones, which makes the appearance of the device more attractive. Thanks to this mechanism, the pipe will not heat up above 170 degrees, and the hottest place will be near the gate.
Corrugated heat exchanger installation
The heat exchanger for the chimney pipe, the price of which is about 3000 rubles, can be installed on the principle of corrugation. The technology will be extremely simple and very practical. For work, you will need three corrugations, which are made of aluminum. These elements are wrapped around a chimney.
Recommendations
You can make such manipulations on any floor of a private house, this also applies to the attic. The air will be heated in the pipes from the chimney systems, and the heated masses will be sent to the premises. Heating is practical, and you do not have to install a stove in each room, if the area is quite large, it will warm up to high temperatures.