Heat accumulator

Piwoslaw · 04-27-22, 02:46 PM

Update.
I read about heat traps and concocted something like this:

The heat trap goes up ~35cm, then down ~20cm, through the pump and up to the radiators. The heat trap is above the mixing valve. Could this be the reason why it doesn't work? The heat still siphons up through the pump and to the radiators

Here is a simple diagram:

During the summer I plan to rework this so that the heat trap is before the mixing valve. Since the low ceiling limits the height if the heat trap goes up above the tank, then can it go down, like this?

If this will work, how low should it go?

Piwoslaw · 09-25-22, 01:05 PM

I made the heat trap which dips almost all the way to the bottom of the tank:

Unfortunately, heat is still being sucked gravitationally from the tank! Only the top of the trap should have been hot, further down it should have been cooler.
But after opening the valves, within a few minutes the whole heat trap and mixing valve were hot, with the heat creeping through the circulation pump up into the house

I'm thinking about that flap valve, as Mike suggested. But must it be mounted so the flow is horizontal, or can it be vertical (so that the weight of the brass flap will hold back the push of gravity-induced flow, like position #2 below)?

Earlier I tried a one-way valve with a disk in it, in position #1, but its spring was too strong and grossly hindered the pump.
After that experience I am afraid that the weight of the brass flap will have a similar effect.

04-27-22, 02:46 PM	#1
Piwoslaw Super Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Warsaw, Poland Posts: 961 Thanks: 188 Thanked 110 Times in 86 Posts	Update. I read about heat traps and concocted something like this: The heat trap goes up ~35cm, then down ~20cm, through the pump and up to the radiators. The heat trap is above the mixing valve. Could this be the reason why it doesn't work? The heat still siphons up through the pump and to the radiators Here is a simple diagram: During the summer I plan to rework this so that the heat trap is before the mixing valve. Since the low ceiling limits the height if the heat trap goes up above the tank, then can it go down, like this? If this will work, how low should it go? Attached Thumbnails __________________ Ecorenovation - the bottomless piggy bank that tries to tame the energy hog.

09-25-22, 01:05 PM	#2
Piwoslaw Super Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Warsaw, Poland Posts: 961 Thanks: 188 Thanked 110 Times in 86 Posts	I made the heat trap which dips almost all the way to the bottom of the tank: Unfortunately, heat is still being sucked gravitationally from the tank! Only the top of the trap should have been hot, further down it should have been cooler. But after opening the valves, within a few minutes the whole heat trap and mixing valve were hot, with the heat creeping through the circulation pump up into the house I'm thinking about that flap valve, as Mike suggested. But must it be mounted so the flow is horizontal, or can it be vertical (so that the weight of the brass flap will hold back the push of gravity-induced flow, like position #2 below)? Earlier I tried a one-way valve with a disk in it, in position #1, but its spring was too strong and grossly hindered the pump. After that experience I am afraid that the weight of the brass flap will have a similar effect. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Ecorenovation - the bottomless piggy bank that tries to tame the energy hog.