Electrode Boiler For Heating A Private House

2023 Author: Douglas Hoggarth | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 11:23

• The principle of operation of electrode boilers
• Requirements for the coolant
• Consequences of electrolysis and direct current action
• Myths about outstanding efficiency
• Feasibility of use
• Maintenance of the heating system on electrode boilers

The principle of operation of electrode boilers

When describing the advantages of electrode boilers, the main emphasis is on the absence of intermediaries in the transfer of energy from the electrical network to the coolant. The main argument on which the marketing strategy for the promotion of electrode water heaters is bet is the direct heating of the liquid under the influence of an electric current due to its high resistivity.

When using this type of equipment, the influence on the heat transfer of the scale crust formed on the surface of traditional tubular heating elements is eliminated. Also an obvious advantage is the low inertia of the system: the coolant begins to heat up immediately after the voltage is applied to the electrodes, while when using resistive heaters, it takes some time to heat the coil itself and its dielectric insulation.

Electrode boiler device: 1 - terminals for connecting to the network; 2 - sealant and insulation of electrodes; 3 - supply of the cooled coolant; 4 - block of electrodes; 5 - coolant; 6 - boiler drum; 7 - insulating layer; 8 - outlet of the heated coolant

However, not everything is so rosy. First of all, it is doubtful that the entire coolant is under the influence of a dangerously high potential difference. In particular, with a zero break, all metal parts of the heating system become fatal to humans, and breakdowns are also possible if the neutral is not properly grounded.

It is worth mentioning the fact that not all fluids have a resistivity high enough to convert all applied power to generate electricity. A certain part of the current load does not encounter resistance and therefore flows freely into the ground. Against this background, statements that electrode boilers have an efficiency higher than 100% evoke a condescending smile from people who are well acquainted with the technical part of the issue.

Requirements for the coolant

In addition to natural losses when heating a liquid, electrode boilers have another nasty property. During the passage of electric current through the electrolysis of water is observed phenomenon - separating molecules H ₂ O to gaseous components. This, among other things, further reduces the energy efficiency of the boiler, because in this case, electricity is consumed not for heating, but for electrolysis. However, the most obvious consequence of this effect is the formation of gas locks in pipes and radiators.

For these reasons, the heating medium for heating systems on electrode boilers must be selected with the greatest care. In order to reduce the conductivity of the coolant (increase the resistivity), the content of dissolved ions in the liquid used should be normalized. Distilled water is mainly used, to which electrolyte is mixed in the proportion recommended by the manufacturer, again, factory production.

The situation is more complicated if an antifreeze liquid must be used as a heat carrier. In this case, the system must be filled with a special antifreeze that cannot be diluted with water. With a significant displacement, refueling the system can cost a pretty penny, but this does not take into account the issue of the durability of the coolant. In the presence of metal parts in the system, the concentration of ions in the liquid increases over time, while effective methods for regenerating the coolant for electrode boilers have not yet been invented. But periodically at least part of the coolant will have to be drained, because each boiler requires cleaning the electrodes from plaque, and the system itself needs flushing.

Consequences of electrolysis and direct current action

The splitting of water into oxygen and hydrogen leads to the formation of air locks that impede the normal circulation of the liquid. However, this is far from the main negative effect. In particular, during real operating experience, manifestations of electrochemical corrosion of aluminum radiators were found.

In the presence of cast iron batteries in the heating system, the initial qualities of the coolant decrease, mainly due to the washing out of impurities from the open pores of the cast sections. Because of this, those wishing to use electrode boilers in such conditions have no choice but to replace the radiators or thoroughly flush the entire system.

The very fact that the coolant in the system is energized obliges every metal element of the system to be grounded carefully. If a clamp with a sufficiently low resistance can still be applied to a steel pipe, then high-quality grounding of a cast-iron radiator connected by a system of plastic pipes seems to be a very difficult task. So far, we can conclude that any heating system in which an electrode boiler is used requires a strictly individual approach.

Myths about outstanding efficiency

When studying advertising materials for electrode boilers, one gets the impression that consumers are considered deaf ignoramuses. Allegedly "ionic" boilers extract heat literally out of nowhere, giving out thermal energy in the amount of 120-150% of the applied electrical power. At the same time, the laws of physics and, in particular, heat engineering are ignored in every possible way.

Statements that the electrode boiler is capable of mythically multiplying the energy put into it are absolutely groundless. Fortunately, today this trend in advertising campaigns has begun to decline, but its initial development can be attributed to the active spread of thermal equipment operating at the expense of heat pumps with a positive COP coefficient.

Even claims that 100% of electricity is converted into heat is an outright deception. Losses during formation still cannot be avoided, even when the coolant is heated due to its own electrical resistance, because at least 2-3% will be spent on heating the supply wiring, the same amount will drain into the grounding system due to a decrease in the energy of charge carriers due to insufficient chemical purity liquid in the system or due to the formation of plaque on the electrodes. Conclusion: electrode boilers are capable of demonstrating a conversion coefficient close to 100% only under conditions of a demonstration stand, which, as you know, are far from real.

Feasibility of use

For all their shortcomings, electrode boilers not only have the right to life, they occupy their own niche, where they solve a certain range of tasks. Basically, their use is reduced to heating small areas, where the cyclical operation is especially important. Due to the low inertia of the heating systems on electrode boilers, they instantly turn on in operation, which means that heating can be carried out in a strictly defined period of time.

In addition, one cannot fail to mention the small dimensions of the electrode boilers. They represent, in fact, a small flask that can be easily integrated into a compact technical niche. If you need to heat a small space and there is no way to equip a separate boiler room, this kind of boilers will come in handy.

However, it should be remembered that the class of equipment under consideration works best in closed-type systems with a small displacement. Electrode boilers can be used in combination with underfloor heating systems and when heated with radiators. However, we repeat, you should properly prepare the coolant and use advanced electronic thermal control circuits.

Electrode boiler connection diagram: 1 - ball valve; 2 - filter; 3 - circulation pump; 4 - drain valve; 5 - electrode boiler; 6 - security group; 7 - expansion tank; 8 - heating radiators; 9 - three-way valve with a servo drive; 10 - circulation pump; 11 - floor heating contour; 12 - underfloor heating control unit; 13 - electrode boiler control unit; 14 - digital thermostat; 15 - contactor; 16 - automatic protection

Maintenance of the heating system on electrode boilers

During operation, electrode boilers do not cause any particular problems. They are compact, quiet and require a minimum of protective devices in the electrical and hydraulic piping. Nevertheless, periodic revisions and maintenance of such equipment will still have to be carried out.

The boiler electrodes generally require attention. The claims about the absence of scale formation are not groundless, but as a result of electrolysis, at least one of the electrodes forms a hard crust of insoluble plaque. It should be cleaned mechanically at least once a year. In addition, the density and chemical composition of the coolant should be monitored: for different systems, the methods for determining its suitability may differ.

Do not forget about electrical safety. The grounding of the heating system must be of high quality, at least once every two years it is necessary to check the operating parameters of the circuit of the main grounding conductors and the resistance of external connecting elements. Without proper attention in this matter, electrode boilers turn into potentially life-threatening devices.