Including them in your system boosts HVAC efficiency and reduces maintenance!
Air bubbles and dirt particles are common in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. These contaminants can lead to corrosion, increased resistance, and reduced efficiency, often resulting in system malfunctions and costly repairs.
Sources of Air and Dirt
Air in a water heating system is almost unavoidable. When the system is first filled, any residual air can become trapped, especially in pipe bends. Additionally, water used in the system contains dissolved oxygen, which, combined with minute leaks or improper system pressure, introduces more oxygen over time.
Dirt particles are also hard to eliminate. Oxygen reacts with iron and produces corrosion over time, which also gives rise to magnetite. Improperly flushed systems may contain sand or welding debris, while incorrect pH levels and high conductivity can exacerbate dirt accumulation.
Problems Caused by Air and Dirt
Air: Air in the form of macro and microbubbles interferes with heat transfer, causes noise, and leads to metal corrosion from oxidation. This over time will reduce system efficiency and shorten the heating system's lifespan.
Dirt: Dirt, especially magnetite, tends to settle in critical areas like pumps, heat exchangers, valves, and radiators. This accumulation increases resistance, particularly in modern, narrower piped systems, driving up repair costs and reducing system lifespan. Scale buildup further impacts efficiency and durability.
KE KELIT's Various Solutions
Air Separators & Automatic Air Vents
KE KELIT stock FLAMCOs Flexvent automatic air vents. The Flexvent floating air vent features a sealed brass housing with an all-plastic interior. As the water rises, it lifts the float, keeping the air valve shut. When air enters the vent housing, the water level drops, lowering the float and opening the valve to release air. This cycle repeats, venting air automatically as it accumulates during normal operation.
The Flamcovent Smart EcoPlus Air Separator removes even the smallest microbubbles from the system water. It is virtually maintenance-free, and the flow resistance is negligibly low. It has 60% better performance compared to conventional separators.
The Flamcovent Smart EcoPlus Air Separator utilises double-thrust functionality for air removal from the system. The first function is achieved by the action of the separating element built into the body in the water flow path through the unit.
'Contaminated' water is diverted through the separating element. The second effect is achieved by combining the increased return flow of clean water from the plenum opposite the separation element back into the mainstream.
This forces the micro-bubbles towards the sides of the body and into the plenum chamber to be removed.
Dirt Separators - Double Thrust Functionality
The Flamco Clean Smart EcoPlus Dirt Separator removes even minuscule dirt particles from the system water. It is virtually maintenance-free, and the flow resistance is negligibly low.
The Flamco Clean Smart EcoPlus also used the same double thrust functionality as the air separator but instead removes dirt particles.
The contaminated water is diverted through the separating element. The second effect is achieved by combining the increased return flow of clean water from the plenum opposite the separation element back into the mainstream. This forces the dirt particles towards the sides of the body and into the plenum chamber to be removed with a downward pass of the magnet where the dirt can be removed via the drain valve.
Air & Dirt Separators - All in one!
The Flamcovent Clean Smart EcoPlus is the best of both worlds, it is both an air and dirt separator, merging the functionality of the Flamcovent Smart EcoPlus Air Separator and Flamco Clean Smart EcoPlus Dirt Separator all in one! It uses the same double thrust functionality but it does both the Air removal and dirt separation.
Installation
Depending on the primary function (either air or dirt separation), the air, dirt, and combined air/dirt separators can be installed in various configurations (refer to fig. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D).
- For dirt separation: Place the separator upstream of the boiler in the return line to capture debris effectively.
- For air separation or combined air/dirt separation: Position the separator immediately downstream of the boiler or mixing valve and upstream of the circulation pump. This placement captures bubbles that form immediately after heating the water.
- In cooling systems: Install the separator just before the chiller to ensure optimal air removal.
All air bleeding devices and dirt separators are equipped with a ¾" connection, allowing for easy attachment of a drain line. Important: These connections should not be used to fill the system.
The Product Range
Flamcovent Smart
Air Separator
Flamco Clean Smart
Dirt Separator
