heat exchanger supports/hangers

sunspot · 02-26-15, 12:11 PM

I'd like to know what others have done to locate (support or hang) heat exchangers in storage tanks. In my case coils of soft copper and/or pex tubing. I don't want anything that penetrates or could chaffe the lining over time if I can avoid it. I'd rather not introduce metals and risk a galvanic corrosion cell. I thought of using a wood 2" x 8" or similar as a 'curtain rod' for the coils but don't know what would happen to the wood over time in hot water.

Anyone?

gtojohn · 02-27-15, 09:51 AM

how about more copper, like soldering a copper curtain rod strut or 2 across your coil?

Mikesolar · 02-27-15, 08:09 PM

I've made my supports out of 1/2" CPVC water pipe and tees with a hockey puck with a blind hole in it for the feet. Nice and stable and lasts for ever.

GaryGary · 03-11-15, 05:48 PM

Hi,
Norm put a lot of thought and work into his scheme for supporting and separating the copper hx coils in his tank:
Solar Hot Water and Space Heating System With Integrated Boiler

I've used plain old polypropylene rope, but in my case the hx is pex and its pretty close to neutral buoyancy. But, the rope was still in good shape last time I opened the tank -- probably after about 4 years.

Gary

sunspot · 03-12-15, 11:26 AM

Thanks Gary. There's a lot of interesting ideas in Norm's article.

Piwoslaw · 03-13-15, 01:12 AM

Check out some of the pics in my gallery. They're not my coils, but should be helpful.

02-26-15, 12:11 PM	#1
sunspot Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Vancouver Island, BC Posts: 147 Thanks: 30 Thanked 35 Times in 29 Posts	heat exchanger supports/hangers I'd like to know what others have done to locate (support or hang) heat exchangers in storage tanks. In my case coils of soft copper and/or pex tubing. I don't want anything that penetrates or could chaffe the lining over time if I can avoid it. I'd rather not introduce metals and risk a galvanic corrosion cell. I thought of using a wood 2" x 8" or similar as a 'curtain rod' for the coils but don't know what would happen to the wood over time in hot water. Anyone?

03-13-15, 01:12 AM	#6
Piwoslaw Super Moderator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Warsaw, Poland Posts: 964 Thanks: 190 Thanked 111 Times in 87 Posts	Check out some of the pics in my gallery. They're not my coils, but should be helpful. __________________ Ecorenovation - the bottomless piggy bank that tries to tame the energy hog.

02-27-15, 09:51 AM	#2
gtojohn Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 314 Thanks: 39 Thanked 50 Times in 45 Posts	how about more copper, like soldering a copper curtain rod strut or 2 across your coil?

02-27-15, 08:09 PM	#3
Mikesolar Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Toronto Posts: 958 Thanks: 40 Thanked 158 Times in 150 Posts	I've made my supports out of 1/2" CPVC water pipe and tees with a hockey puck with a blind hole in it for the feet. Nice and stable and lasts for ever.

03-11-15, 05:48 PM	#4
GaryGary Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SW Montana Posts: 139 Thanks: 1 Thanked 21 Times in 15 Posts	Hi, Norm put a lot of thought and work into his scheme for supporting and separating the copper hx coils in his tank: Solar Hot Water and Space Heating System With Integrated Boiler I've used plain old polypropylene rope, but in my case the hx is pex and its pretty close to neutral buoyancy. But, the rope was still in good shape last time I opened the tank -- probably after about 4 years. Gary

03-12-15, 11:26 AM	#5
sunspot Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Vancouver Island, BC Posts: 147 Thanks: 30 Thanked 35 Times in 29 Posts	Thanks Gary. There's a lot of interesting ideas in Norm's article.