What is an expansion tank and what is it necessary for? None of the heating systems do without an expansion tank. Where hot water flows through pipes and batteries, the installation of an additional container is required, which is included in the heating circuit and is filled with air. Everything is very simple, but it is only at first glance. Make a capacity will not be a lot of work, only you need to know how to connect the tank correctly.
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Appointment of expansion tank for heating system
The coolant (this is water) circulates according to the system continuously and this movement occurs because inside there is pressure. It creates under weight or forcibly if an electric pump is connected. In any case, the heating system cannot be considered a full, if there is no expansion tank.
It can be 2 species:
- Open.
- Closed or sealed.
The expansion tank is simply necessary in the system of water heating, because when the fluid is heated, it is characterized in volume. Water becomes larger and the pressure in the system rises. Sometimes pressure can be so strong that the system cannot withstand such a load. And with water, nothing can be done, because it is not subject to compression. If mounting the heating system without an expansion tank, then water can break the pipes. So that this does not happen and the pressure in the system remained stable, it is necessary to set the container so that this tank compensates for the pressure drops during water heating. This is a tank for expansion. It turns out that without this tank, a full-fledged heating system cannot work.
The expansion tank can be purchased in a specialized store or make yourself.
The main functions of the expansion tank
The first and basic, with which the expansion tank should cope, is:
- Stabilize instrument readings (pressure gauge) by compensating fluid expansion in the system.
- Display air from the system.
- To accumulate hot liquid.
Before proceeding to the manufacture of the expansion tank, you need to know how it copes with elevated loads. When the fluid is heated in the system, it increases more than it would like. Excess this liquid must flow into a separate reservoir, then the operation of the heating system will be stable. Just in this reservoir and the excess heated liquid comes. When the water cools, it arrives back to the heating system. If the tank is sealed, then the membrane copes with this part of the work, and in the open system - by gravity water cools and returns back to the contour.
Thanks to the expansion tank, water in the system always remains in the same amount, as well as pressure. This is the main task with which the expansion tank is coping. There are also auxiliary functions with which this tank can also cope - this is the removal of air traffic jams. Therefore, the tanks are best to install at a high point of the system under a slight tilt so that water contributes to the air pushed up.
And you must learn that if the outline is closed, then the expansion tank should be sealed, and if open is not hermetic. Designs in this case are absolutely different. If the first tanks can be flat and divided into 2 parts (for water and air), then in the second case - the expansion tank can be made in the form of a bowl.
What else should be considered in the manufacture of the expansion tank do it yourself:
- If a closed type tank, then you need to know how much the amount of atmospheres in a separate compartment.
- Volume of tank for collecting extra liquid.
Tanks can be plastic and metal, with a lid and without. The basic rule is the size of the tank to accommodate the volume of the heated fluid displaced.
How to make an expansion tank for heating do it yourself
The sealed tank is very difficult to do at home. As experts say, it is better to pay and buy a high-quality thing than to make it yourself.
But if there is a huge desire, then you can make an expansion tank for the heating system with your own hands:
- first you need to make a housing or frame. It must be from 2 metal parts;
- on each part you need to attach the flange to fasten the membranes and connect both halves;
- it will turn out 2 cameras inside - the air will fall into one, the liquid to accumulate. Both halves should not be interrelated, otherwise nothing will happen;
- in one of the parts you need to insert the nozzle so that the excess fluid goes, and in the second part to embed the nipple to adjust the amount of free air in the system (to burst air);
- the hull must be metallic, but the membrane is rubber. It must be installed between two halves of the camera, the flange is copped with bolts. Once again remind that absolute tightness must be observed;
- it remains to install the tank in place, include in the heating system and check the operation in action;
- and it is still very important - the pressure in the tank must be configured individually, under the parameters of the boiler.
We make an open expansion tank for heating do it yourself
An expansion tank of an open type can be made with your own hands. Not so long ago, not many did not know about the installation of individual heating, the expansion tank and speech did not go - it was attached at the last moment from the fact that under the arms came across. As a tank, a large-diameter flower pot was used or any suitable container. Today, the expansion tank can be purchased in the store or make an expansion tank of an open type with your own hands. It is much easier than making a closed tank.
What will take:
- marker;
- ruler;
- metal sheet;
- bulgarian;
- basalt wool;
- welding machine;
- gloves and other means of protection.
How to make a tank:
It is better to make a stainless steel tank, then the tank will last for many years. If there is no such material, then use any metal.
- We make markup: the sizes of the tank depend on the length of the contour of the heating system. If this is the standard, then you need to cut 5 squares with a size of 30 to 30 or 30 per 40 cm. These are the walls for the tank and the bottom.
- Billets need to be collected, put at right angles and cook with the welding machine.
- The design is ready, you need to drill the hole in the bottom of the tank to insert the nozzle. On it, water from the system should flow into the tank. The nozzle must be connected to the heating system (flaw).
- The expansion tank is preferably inspired, because often the highest point of the contour falls on the unheated room in the house (this is the attic). Therefore, it is necessary that the expansion tank be insulated so that the water in it does not freeze. Insulation, you can use any, for example, basalt cotton wool. It is stable even to the highest temperatures.
- You need to be prepared for the fact that in the open tank (outlet open) water reaches the boiling stage. Therefore, when choosing a insulation, consider these nuances.
Expansion tank for heating with their own hands. Photo
Expansion tank from the canister do it yourself
From metal, it turns out a reliable and robust design, but not everyone knows how to work with this material, so we suggest familiarizing yourself with step-by-step instructions and learn how to make a tank from the canister:
- Immediately pay attention to the reader, which will serve a canister from plastic for a short time, maximum - 2 winters. Therefore, this version is although fast, but not durable. In any case, the moment will come when you have to change the old tank to the new one.
- The canister will need a volume of 10 liters, cut through a huge hole is not necessary, and at the bottom side closer to the bottom it is easily cutting out a neat opening. Make it easily with an ordinary building knife. Check if the fitting is well included in the finished hole, if not, then you need to cut off excess plastic some more.
- There are 2 holes in the canister - the first factory, the second - we took the bottom. In both holes, you need to insert a wire and a fitting so that it goes on the wire right into the bottom hole.
- The fitting you need to insert and install the rubberized gasket, then the nut and thread threads well.
- You can connect with the heating system such an expansion tank using a rubber hose segment (put a clamp) or take a segment of a plastic pipe and make a solid design.
Expansion tank do it yourself. Photo:
