Plate heat exchanger question

[MNfarmer]

I've been reading about the plate exchangers and people saying they don't work well with really hard water.. does anyone have one of these that has really hard water? Are they cleanable... how often do they have to cleaned? I did a search but came up with nothing on how to clean them or take them apart (if that's even possible) or anything of that nature. Any help is appreciated!! Thanks

 

[November Wolf]

Very good question. I have a 40 plate heat exchanger and it works very well. It is new so I have'nt had to clean it out yet. I have very hard water here but I filled my boiler with soft water so hopefully I will not have the hard calcium deposits in it. I did install a y-strainer on mine to catch whatever may come into it.

 

[MNfarmer]

Thanks November. My problem isn't calcium, it's iron. What does a person have to do to clean these things do you know? Do they come apart or what? Thanks for the reply!

 

[mtfallsmikey]

Install isolation/drain valves on inlet and outlet so it can be flushed and serviced...

 

[MNfarmer]

That's what I was looking for! Is there some sort of special solution to flush it out with? Do both the boiler side and fresh water side need to be flushed? Thanks so much!

 

[sstan]

First year for me too so I will be interested in the ansewers posted! I have heard to flush it with "Lime Away" to clean

 

[mtfallsmikey]

I answered this in another thread, but if you can just flush with domestic water at pressure, it will probably clear out most of the spooge that iron/mud causes.

 

[MNfarmer]

Thanks Mikey!! Sorry I didn't find your reply in the other thread you posted in.. but thanks again!

 

[mtfallsmikey]

Wish I could do a diagram....
Install valves on inlet/outlet lines of HX, then put tees/drain valves with garden hose connections (boiler drains is the correct term) upstream ahead of the valves. This will enable you to take a hose, with double-ended hose connection (washer hose will do) and connect to the drain, then flush out with water pressure, from each end....see what/if any spooge emerges...
:hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange: :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[itn]

Rydlyme

 

[Mister Twister]

I've been reading about the plate exchangers and people saying they don't work well with really hard water.. does anyone have one of these that has really hard water? Are they cleanable... how often do they have to cleaned? I did a search but came up with nothing on how to clean them or take them apart (if that's even possible) or anything of that nature. Any help is appreciated!! Thanks

Are you planning on using it to heat domestic hot water instead of using a sidearm (or in combination with.) or are you transferring heat to another heating device? I am assuming you mean domestic hot water otherwise you will have treated water on both sides and it would not matter unless you have to add make up water constantly it would be a non issue.

I was thinking of using one down the road to speed up my domestic hot water recovery time. After the second or third shower in a row my water starts to cool down how about yours?

:monkey:

 

[MNfarmer]

It will be used for domestic hot water. I don't have anything hooked up now for heating water.. just checking out my options and what would be best!! Thanks for the replies everyone!

 

[Scootermsp]

Hx

I have a 30 plate water-to-water HX on a wraparound loop. I am heating 4800 sq ft and DHW. It keeps up rather well. Last week it did fine with -4F and 20 MPH winds. http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?p=1159789#post1159789 some of the hots here show it. I have since insulated it as well as the Taco pump on my OWB and find that to help somewhat.

 

[November Wolf]

I have a 30 plate water-to-water HX on a wraparound loop. I am heating 4800 sq ft and DHW. It keeps up rather well. Last week it did fine with -4F and 20 MPH winds. http://www.arboristsite.com/showthread.php?p=1159789#post1159789 some of the hots here show it. I have since insulated it as well as the Taco pump on my OWB and find that to help somewhat.

I still need to put insulation over my pump at the OWB. Do you think it helps much?