Single-pipe heating system with forced circulation: scheme, photo, reviews

How comfortable it will be to live in a private house depends largely on the quality of the heating system. To date, there are several ways to assemble such structures. The simplest and most effective is the so-called "Leningrad" - a one-pipe system. About how to mount it yourself, and talk later in the article.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of such a design as a single-tube heating system with forced circulation, should be attributed primarily to the ease of installation, economy and not too much cost. The disadvantage of such structures is not particularly high efficiency when using a large area in buildings, as well as the uneven heating of radiators on different floors.

What are the varieties

In private houses, you can usually see only two types of structures, such as a one-pipe heating system with forced circulation of a closed type:

• Vertical. In this case, the coolant from the boiler first rises to the uppermost floor. Here it passes through all radiators. Then the water or antifreeze goes down to the lower floor, after which the cycle repeats. Then, along the riser, the coolant flows even lower, and so on.
• Horizontal. Such single-pipe systems are installed in single-storey buildings. In this case, the coolant simply passes through all the radiators at home in sequence and is returned through the return pipe to the boiler.

The construction of "Leningrad"

There is a single-pipe heating system with forced circulation of the following elements:

• The heating boiler. He can work on gas, solid or liquid fuel, as well as from the power grid. In country houses, the first variety is usually used. The advantage of this equipment is first of all considered economical. The electric boiler costs less, however for its work it is necessary to pay much more. Models that operate on liquid or solid fuels are usually installed in areas where gas pipelines and electrical networks are not connected.
• The main lines. This is also a very important element of such a design as a single-tube heating system with forced circulation. The diameter of the pipes in this case may be less than with the natural motion of the coolant. The mains for such heating systems can be used steel, polypropylene, metal-plastic or copper.
• Radiators of heating. Batteries in private houses can be used steel, cast iron, aluminum or bimetallic. It is better to choose the second or last species. Each radiator must be equipped with a Mayevsky crane.
• Expansion tank. This element is designed to reduce the pressure in the pipeline when heating the heating medium. With the expansion of water, the "extra" part simply enters this tank.
• Circulation pump. Sometimes the heating medium in the heating system circulates naturally - due to the difference in temperatures in the forward and reverse pipes. But in our time the owners of houses prefer to use options with forced circulation. In this case, the movement of the coolant occurs as a result of the operation of the pump. When using it, you can install pipes of much smaller diameter, which often allows you to save certain amounts. The drawbacks of systems with forced circulation are only their dependence on electricity. However, when it is turned off, the design can be switched to natural mode. In addition, you can always use a portable generator.
• Stop valves. Among other things, the design of such systems includes various types of valves, valves, and thermo valves.

We compose the project

When drawing up a scheme of such a design as a single-tube heating system with forced circulation, the following factors are taken into account:

• Boiler output. Calculation of this indicator is usually trusted by specialists. The matter is that for selection of the most suitable equipment in this case it is necessary to consider a very large number of very different factors. Approximately the calculation is based on the fact that every 10 m ^{2 of} heating requires 1 kW of unit power.
• Number of radiators. This indicator can also depend on various factors. The specific power of one section of the battery is indicated in its passport. At 1 m ^{2 of} the room space, 100 kW is needed.
• Location and material of pipe manufacturing.
• Power of the circulation pump. The first indicator for water is determined by the formula:
  Qpu = Qn: 1.163 x Dt [m ³ / h],
  Where Qn is the amount of heat consumed in kilowatts,
  And Dt is the temperature difference in the return and supply pipelines.
• Volume of the expansion tank. It can also be calculated independently. Do this with the help of the formula:
  V = ex C: (1 - P _o / Pmax) xk,
  Where e is the water expansion coefficient,
  C is the volume of the coolant in the system in liters,
  P ₀ is the initial air pressure in the tank,
  P _max - maximum pressure in the heating system,
  K is the capacitance of the capacitor).
  The last indicator and the limiting pressure are determined by special tables.

Boiler installation

A boiler in such a design as a one-pipe heating system with forced circulation is installed below the location of the mains and radiators. Most often it is located in the basement of the room. Install this unit on a level platform. On sale there are also suspended models. First of all, a chimney is connected and taken out to the street. Connection to the gas main is trusted only by specialists. It is impossible to do this by yourself.

Installation of radiators

Continue the installation of such a design as a single-pipe heating system with forced circulation, the scheme of which was presented above, the installation of batteries. Hanging radiators are usually under the windows. Preliminarily, the wall is marked with the width and length of the radiator. Then the brackets are attached. The battery hangs on them. It should be located in such a way that its lower edge does not reach the floor at least 10 cm. The same distance should remain between its upper edge and the window sill. Distance to the wall - 5 cm.

Installation of pipelines

At the next stage, the mains and risers are attached to the walls. The supply pipe must be located above the return pipe. Mounting to the walls is done by brackets. Between the pipes are connected by fittings. Too many knees are not recommended on the highway. This will reduce the velocity of the coolant, and therefore the quality of the entire structure.

Single-pipe heating system with forced circulation "Leningrad": connection of radiators

After the mains are carried out, they begin to connect the radiators. In this case, the diagonal and lower schemes are usually used. In the first case, the coolant is supplied through one of the upper radiator sockets. Retraction - through the lower on the opposite side. In the second - both pipes are attached from below. The installation is done on the bypass. In the future, this will allow to regulate the temperature of the air in the premises, selectively turning off the radiators. In addition, with this connection, it is possible to repair or replace the batteries without interrupting the operation of the entire system.

Setting other items

The expansion tank is mounted on the supply pipe in the immediate vicinity of the boiler itself. The pump is installed on the return pipe. The fact is that the hot water of a straight main can damage the elements of its construction. Put the pump on the bypass, equipped with three taps. Before it is mounted a filter for the coolant. This element of construction prevents the ingress of scale or silt. A safety valve can be installed anywhere on the highway. In this case, it matters only the convenience of using it. At the lowest point of the pipeline, a drain cock is installed.

At the final stage, the supply and return lines are connected to the corresponding boiler connections.

As a result of all these actions, a very effective single-tube heating system with forced circulation should be obtained. You can see a photo of this design below.

Filling the coolant

Once the system has been assembled, a test run is made. The water is pumped into the pipeline by a submersible pump under pressure, slightly above the operating one, until it begins to flow from the Mayevsky cranes in the radiators. After that they are closed and inspect all connections for tightness. If leaks are not available, the work on the assembly of the heating system can be considered finished.

Reviews about "Leningrad"

Most owners of private homes have a very good opinion about this system. Particularly flattering reviews about her sound from the lips of the owners of not too large buildings. In this case, such a system functions very effectively. Many private traders are also attracted by the low cost of such structures and, of course, the possibility of their self-assembly.

Do not really like the owners of country houses only that the coolant to the furthest extreme radiators in such structures comes already pretty chilled. Therefore, in the rooms in which they are installed, it is sometimes cool.

As you can see, the installation of such a structure as a single-tube heating system with forced circulation (good reviews) is not too complicated. You can install it in a few days. It works the same, subject to compliance with all the required assembly technologies, subsequently long and efficiently.