air removal

Discussion in 'Vertical and Horizontal Loops' started by alan588, Jan 22, 2011.

  1. alan588

    alan588 New Member

    My unit most likely has a slow leak. It recently faulted out for a water flow fault. I am tired of calling the crappy company who installed the unit in 2006 so I ordered parts and re-filled with antifreeze and also loop conditioner. The unit ran for awhile and faulted out for water flow again. I am at 60 psi like the instructions on the conditioner said to be at, so I wonder if I have air in the system? Could it have gotten in because of the leak? It is possible that I introduced some when re-filling the system. Can somebody please tell me how to check for this and also how to remove the air if I find it? Thank you very much. Alan.
     
  2. engineer

    engineer Well-Known Member Industry Professional Forum Leader

    Air will stop pumps from moving water

    Sure fire way to get rid of it is using a flush cart - basically an open container and a pump with enough punch to move water so fast through your loops that air is entrained and carried out.

    If your system has "Pete's Ports" it is a fairly simply DIY job to measure pressure difference across unit heat exchanger and look up flow in manufacturer tables

    A sport ball inflation needle plumbed to a halfway decent pressure gauge does the trick. Use the same gauge in both ports
     
  3. Mark Custis

    Mark Custis Not soon. Industry Professional Forum Leader

    Air

    in a loop field will stop water better than a ball valve or a gate valve. Can you hear the flow of fluid in your near machine piping? If so you have air.

    I tend to design against industry standards as I know flow because I am a wet head.

    There are ways to get the air out. Most involve high GPM and high head pumps. It can be done.

    If you need to do that I might do a retro-fit to include an air eliminator.
     

Share This Page