Removing air from the heating system: how the air plug is lowered
The appearance of air pockets in the heating system accompanies uneven heating of the devices and alarming noise in the pipeline. The coolant along the circuit moves in “jerks”, the probability of water hammer increases. Agree, any sane owner would like to exclude these phenomena.
To eliminate and prevent the listed negative allows a simple action - the removal of air locks from the heating system. How to do it? How to correctly assemble the circuit, what devices should be installed so that the air is removed in a timely manner, you will learn from the article we have proposed.
The information provided for review is based on regulatory documents. We have described all the possible methods used against the formation of air congestion. To optimize perception, the material is supplemented with photo collections, diagrams, videos.
If, even after bleeding air through the Mayevsky tap, the radiator warms up unevenly, the device may need to be removed and washed or replaced with a new one.
To do this, you will need a wrench or screwdriver, as well as a container to collect water and a rag for the floor. With the help of tools, the Mayevsky crane is opened and a container is placed under it. The air comes out with a characteristic hiss.
When the plug is removed, water will flow from Mayevsky's tap. The faucet can now be closed. In most cases, this simple procedure allows you to restore an even distribution of the coolant throughout the radiator.
Automatic air vents are of horizontal and vertical type. They are installed in places where the likelihood of air lock formation is greatest. These may be areas where the heating pipe makes a turn, a loop, etc.
The airiness of the heating system is more typical for the upper floors of the building, so here the installation of air exhaust devices should be given special attention.
This diagram shows the installation sites for devices for removing air from the heating system: an automatic air vent and a Mayevsky crane
When using automatic air vents, it is important to monitor the level of pressure in the system. In addition, such devices are highly sensitive to contamination.
To extend the life of automatic air vents, you should install good filters, as well as regularly flush the heating circuit.
Automatic devices for removing air are mandatory when installing closed-type heating systems. Their installation allows you to remove air plugs quickly and without human intervention.
To determine the place where air has accumulated, radiators and pipes are simply felt for a start. Where the heating temperature is noticeably lower, there is usually an air lock.
Another way to identify an airy place is to tap the contour. A small metal object is used, which is applied with accurate blows. In places where air accumulates, the sound will be more sonorous.
Method # 3 - strong heating of the coolant
Sometimes, in order to naturally remove excess air from the heating circuit, it is enough to heat the coolant strongly. High temperature stimulates the release of air and its movement through the system. It is allowed to heat water in the heating system up to 100 degrees.
This diagram shows the air separator device. This device allows you to remove from the heating circuit not only air, but also pollution
If the formation of air pockets is observed in the system again and again, all joints should be examined for tightness.
There will almost certainly be a small gap near the place where the air lock has formed, from which water flows imperceptibly and into which air bubbles seep. Closing such a gap or crack will solve the problem.
Image Gallery
The scheme of the expansion tank of an open heating circuit allows you to get an idea of the procedure for filling such a system with coolant after flushing
In addition, it also contributes to the faster removal of that part of the air masses that are dissolved in the coolant. To begin with, it makes sense to consider an example of filling an open heating system, at the highest point of which an expansion tank is located.
Such a circuit should be filled with coolant, starting from its lowest part. For these purposes, a shut-off valve is installed in the system below, through which tap water is supplied to the system.
A properly arranged expansion tank has a special pipe that protects it from overflow.
A hose of such length should be put on this branch pipe so that its other end is brought to the site and is outside the house. Before filling the system, take care of the heating boiler. It is recommended to disconnect it from the system for this time so that the protective modules of this unit do not work.
After these preparatory measures are completed, you can start filling the contour. The tap at the bottom of the circuit, through which tap water enters, is opened so that the water fills the pipes very slowly.
Slow filling is continued until water flows through the overflow hose, which is brought out. After that it should be closed. Now you should go through the entire system and open the Mayevsky valve on each radiator to bleed air.
Then you can reconnect the boiler to the heating system. These taps are also recommended to be opened very slowly. During the filling of the boiler with coolant, a hiss can be heard, which is emitted by the protective air vent valve.
This is normal. After that, you need to add water to the system again at the same slow pace. The expansion tank should be about 60-70% full.
After that, it is necessary to check the operation of the heating system. The boiler is turned on and the heating system is warmed up. Radiators and pipes are then examined to identify areas where there is no or insufficient heating.
Insufficient heating indicates the presence of air in the radiators, it is necessary to bleed it again through the Mayevsky taps. If the procedure for filling the heating circuit with coolant was successful, do not relax.
For at least another week, the operation of the system should be carefully monitored, the water level in the expansion tank should be monitored, and the condition of the pipes and radiators should be checked. This will allow you to quickly resolve the problems that have arisen.
In a similar way, closed-type systems are filled with coolant. Water should also be supplied to the system at a low speed through a special tap.
You can fill the heating system of a closed type with a working fluid (coolant) on your own. It is important to arm yourself with a manometer for this.
But in such systems, pressure control is an important point. When it reaches a level of two bars, turn off the water and bleed air from all radiators through Mayevsky's taps. In this case, the pressure in the system will begin to decrease. It is necessary to gradually add coolant to the circuit so that at the level of two bar.
It is difficult to perform both of these operations alone. Therefore, it is recommended that the filling of a closed circuit is carried out together with an assistant. While one bleeds air from the radiators, his partner monitors the level of pressure in the system and immediately corrects it. Joint work will improve the quality of this type of work and reduce their time.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Video #1 A visual demonstration of the process of removing excess air from a radiator using a Mayevsky crane:
Video #2 How to bleed air from the heating circuit that does not exit through the air vent:
Air entering the heating system reduces its efficiency and can cause damage to some components.
To successfully deal with this problem, you should initially correctly install the heating or correct existing flaws. In addition, it is necessary to install air exhaust devices and follow the rules for operating heating systems.
Please write comments if you have any questions while reading the information provided. We are waiting for your stories about your own heating device, about installing devices for removing air from the system. We invite you to comment on the material in the block located under the text of the article.
