The heating system must be set up, these works can be done in different ways. This need arises in order to achieve operational efficiency when the parameters are maximally close to the calculated ones on each section of the network. Today, several means of regulating the system are known, but the most modern are manual balancing valves.
Purpose of the balancing valve
The heating circuit necessarily requires hydraulic adjustment. The purpose of this manipulation is to bring the flow rate of the coolant to the calculated value, this allows us to ensure that the right amount of heat is delivered to each battery.
In the simplest schemes, the flow rate is ensured by correctly selected pipe diameters. When the system is more complex, adjustments can be made with washers that guarantee the flow of the required volume of water. However, these methods can be called obsolete; today, a balancing valve is increasingly being installed.
In appearance, it is a manual valve that allows you to adjust the volume of the coolant. As a supplement, two fittings are built into it, they are necessary for:
- interaction and connection of the capillary tube to other controls;
- pressure changes in different places in relation to the regulating mechanism.
You can find out the difference in the regulators by measuring the pressure in the fittings, this allows you to determine the flow rate of the coolant in the area. After reading the instructions for the valve, you can determine the number of revolutions of the handle for the required water flow.
Additional appointment
On sale you can find products of some manufacturers, this includes the Danfoss manual balancing valve, which allows you to measure the amount of flowing water using instruments of the same brand. This helps to make the process easier, because you don’t need to perform calculations, but you will have to spend money on acquiring such equipment.
By designation, such devices should be divided into manual valves and automatic type regulators. In the second version, two devices are included in the package of delivery, among them one can also single out a differential pressure regulator.
Varieties of balancing crane
Manual balancing valves are available in different versions. Models may have their own design features of locking and balancing valves. You can subdivide the valves according to the location of the stem, which happens:
In the first case, the stem is at right angles to the body. The slanted position of the stem provides the element with high hydraulic characteristics. Manual balancing valves are also classified by seat shape, it happens:
- cylindrical;
- straight;
- conical.
Manual balancing valve prices
Manual balancing valve MSV may have a different cost depending on the characteristics, among them the diameter, connection parameters and throughput should be highlighted. If the first parameter is 15 mm, and the second is Rp 1/2, while the third is equivalent to 3 m 3 / h, then for such a part you will have to pay 1000 rubles. When the diameter increases to 32 mm, and the throughput becomes equal to 18 m 3 / h, then the cost will increase to 2205 rubles.
Manual balancing flange valve will cost much more. A product with the marking MSV-F2 and a diameter of 15 mm costs 5950 rubles, while the throughput will be 3.1 m 3 / h. With an increase in diameter to 32 mm and a throughput of 15.5 m 3 / h, the price is 8100 rubles.
Installation
In order to achieve measurement accuracy, the valve must be installed on a flat area that does not have bends. The length of such a zone will depend on the diameter of the pipe. For example, before the valve, the length should be 5 pipe diameters, after it - 2 diameters or more. If these recommendations are neglected, then the error can be a limit of 15 to 20%.
A manual balancing valve, the price of which is very high, will still not ensure operational efficiency if you do not observe the rules under which the element must be mounted with a distance to the pump of 10 pipe diameters. This is true when the valve is located after the circulation pump. This unit should be located in a place where it is convenient to configure, dismantle and operate it.
Water should move in the direction that the arrow on the body points. You can install the device vertically or horizontally, there are no special restrictions for this. The housing must not be subjected to external pressure. A strainer should be installed in the system , otherwise the valve will quickly become clogged.
Specialist recommendations
The system on which the balancing valve is installed must be filled in a special way. If we are talking about a dynamic valve, then the presence of filling nozzles should be provided, they should be close to the valve, they must be installed on the return pipe.
If manual balancing valves are installed on the supply pipe, they should be closed. To configure, you need to use a flow meter or a table of differential flow and pressure. But the initial calculation must be performed at the planning stage of the heating system.
Balancing valve installation diagram
The balancing valve can be installed according to one of the existing schemes. The first involves the use of external networks, in which case a throttle network should be used. It is able to limit the overrun of water and pressure. If there are devices in the heating system that are responsible for adjusting the water supply, then do not install a manual valve.
The balancing valve can also be mounted using an extensive cooling system, water supply and heating. Using these schemes, you can solve the issue of excess pressure. When branching is used, you may run into the problem of overspending in one direction and low consumption in the other. To equalize the pressure, the described device is installed. In the end, it is possible to get the average consumption at all points. The balancing valve should not be used if the circuit has a slight contour.
Conclusion
Even if the heating or water supply system was correctly designed and installed, it requires initial configuration. During further operation, it will be possible to control the distribution of temperature and pressure with the help of control valves, among these elements it is necessary to distinguish not only balancing valves, but also pressure reducers, as well as bypass screens.