Heating is an important issue that every home or cottage owner faces. In addition to choosing equipment, you need to decide on the heating fluid. More and more people are thinking about using oil rather than water for their home heating system. There are many opinions regarding this issue, which we will try to understand.
Heating is important
The issue of heating arises even during the design of a new house. Sometimes it appears when the operating mode changes. So, for example, a person could buy himself a country house, which the previous owners visited only in warm weather. Now he intends to visit it in late autumn and winter. What to do? Shouldn't you stay in a cold room? The answer is obvious - heating. It is important to choose which one and with what coolant. It depends on many factors.
Most people try to use water in their system, since it is the cheapest and most energy-intensive coolant. Moreover, if the temperature drops below zero, it will freeze. As a result, the system will have to be heated, and, at best, some burst pipes will have to be welded. At worst, you need to change the entire system, including the boiler. This situation is not only unpleasant, but also costly.
Therefore, in winter, special additives are used for water to prevent freezing. They come in different varieties, ranging from liquids with mineral salt to alcoholic ones. Each has its own positive and negative qualities. But still, none of them can be called ideal. It is in this regard that many people think not about what to add to the water, but what to replace it with.
Advantages
Used oil in the heating system has many advantages:
- In winter, the liquid will not freeze. Unless the temperature in the house drops to -35 degrees Celsius. Agree, this is unlikely to happen.
- It doesn’t matter how long the negative temperature lasts, it does not affect the oil in any way. You can turn on the boiler and start heating the room at any time.
- Low volatility due to the structure.
- There is no need to additionally pour in any additives to prevent the coolant from freezing.
- The oil has high anti-corrosion properties. Therefore, there is no need to flush the system frequently.
- Has high thermal stability.
The best waste oil boilers made in Europe
Waste oil boilers are produced both in Russia and abroad. Oddly enough, the most popular are domestically produced boilers and those from Finland. Domestic boilers are the most reliable, and those from Finland are the most economical
Ecoheat 60 S
This boiler model, operating on waste oil, can be used to heat various premises - warehouses, hangars, car service centers and other production areas.
Ecoheat 60 S
The unit is equipped with a burner, delivered fully assembled, ready for use. It can be connected to a separate boiler to obtain water.
Specifications:
- Dimensions – 1020x670x790 mm
- Weight – 243 kg
- Tank volume – 100 l
- Fuel consumption – 5.4 l. at one o'clock
- Thermal power – 60 kW
- Availability of fuel tank
- Compressed air pressure – 0.5-1.5 bar
Flaws
Despite the obvious advantages of this type of coolant, there are still a number of disadvantages:
- The need for filtration before injecting into the system. The fact is that usually the oil is a mixture of many oils of different brands and viscosity. In addition, it contains third-party components in the form of dirt and metal. The process of cleaning a considerable volume can cost a large sum.
- Availability of the required quantity. At the moment, there are no companies that are engaged in the targeted collection and purification of oil for future infusion into heating systems. Therefore, finding a sufficient amount of the desired consistency will be problematic.
- High fire hazard. In the event of a leak, there is a risk of fire. True, for this the liquid must come into direct contact with an open source of fire.
- It is not permissible to use a boiler with direct heating.
- Replacing all rubber gaskets and connectors with oil-resistant ones, which will be more difficult to find, since conventional heating systems are not equipped with them. In addition, their purchase can cost a large sum.
Other oil boiler manufacturers
Energylogic double-circuit liquid fuel boilers from the American manufacturer are distinguished by high quality workmanship, reliability and durability. Models have a power of 41-218 kW. The heat exchanger operates on a wet effect, cooling the water. This eliminates the formation of burnout points and helps slow down metal wear.
The fan burner has a special head that forms and holds the flame, normalizing the combustion process of the fuel. The devices have the ability to heat the fuel before it enters the injector. The boilers are equipped with a reversible two-pass firebox.
The Energylogic boiler heat exchanger operates on the wet effect, cooling the water.
Chinese Norteс waste oil boiler plants have a capacity of 15-7000 kW. Thanks to the presence of a mesh filter, the fuel enters the nozzle in its pure form. The devices are equipped with a fuel overflow sensor and a reliable sliding secondary air control flap.
Another Chinese manufacturer, Smart Burner, produces boilers with a capacity of 24-595 kW. The devices have a smooth ignition system and the option of adjusting the fuel supply, which contributes to greater efficiency.
Korean-made two-pass boilers operate on the basis of single-stage OLB burners. They have a power of 15-1600 kW. The devices are equipped with a pressure regulator, with which the fuel flow to the injector is adjusted, which is determined by the viscosity of the fuel. They have a system protection function in the event of a malfunction of one of the boiler elements.
Korean Kiturami boilers operate on different types of fuel. They are equipped with a self-diagnostic device, thanks to which the operating mode is adjusted. In the secondary combustion zone, the boilers have a burner with cyclone flow aerodynamics technology.
Kiturami boilers are equipped with a self-diagnostic device, thanks to which the operating mode is adjusted.
Currently, waste oil heating is very popular. This is primarily due to the economic feasibility of this option. Exhaust boilers are characterized by a number of distinctive advantages, but factory-made devices are quite expensive. To save money, you can make the device yourself, having studied all the intricacies of the process.
Peculiarities
Before pouring used oil into the system, it is important to check many nuances that will affect the work and comfort of residents in the future.
So, it is known that this coolant is fluid, even in the cold. But for conventional heating this is not enough. Warm and cooled oil have significantly different viscosities. Therefore, the pipes in the system must have the same diameter. And sometimes on return bends you can make it larger. The fact is that the boiler itself heats up quickly, but does not have time to push the oil through. In this case, even boiling is possible.
It is also important to think about the size of the expansion tank in advance. In aqueous systems, 10% of the total liquid volume is usually taken. With oil, things are a little more complicated, because when heated, it expands more than H2O. Despite this, the level in the system still needs to be checked from time to time and topped up if necessary. In such designs, it is recommended to install tanks measuring 30% of the total volume.
A particularly important condition in the matter of heating a house with used and already purified oil is tightness. In most cases, it is not possible to completely avoid leaks the first time. It is considered ideal to apply a new weld in such places, since gaskets and similar elements do not solve the situation. After this, the system starts up and is checked for complete tightness - small drops appear in places where there are even microscopic holes. In this case, it is advisable to drain all the oil and digest the problem areas. In this case, the procedure must be repeated until the system is completely corrected.
It is imperative to pay attention to all connecting threads. It is very important that they are of high quality, especially when serving. Otherwise, small drops may appear on them when heated. And sometimes the connection will even leak. At the same time, it will be difficult to seal such a joint. You can immediately say that it will not be possible to solve the problem with tow or fulente. In some cases, specialized sealants that can withstand temperatures up to 400 degrees help.
Generally speaking, the use of oil in the heating system allows you to leave the room for a long time in any weather. And there is no need to worry about her hypothermia. In addition, with the help of this coolant you can heat batteries to high temperatures without fear of system failure. But, as with everything, there are positive and negative sides.
Advantages of heating boilers during testing
Heating boilers using waste oil have many advantages.
Economical
The boiler operates on primary waste oil. A properly configured device burns it completely .
More often, such devices are purchased by people who have access to fuel in unlimited quantities.
For example, workers at depots or engineering plants. But even if you have to buy used liquid, you will still be in the black.
The cost of oil is minimal, and it is consumed economically. The oil burns out completely, which means every penny spent on it will be spent.
Autonomy
Such a boiler operates autonomously, without connection to a stationary heating system . The buyer independently, regardless of the centralized supply of heat, decides where the device will be installed. This is relevant in private homes, where autonomous heating is extremely necessary in the cold season.
Simplicity of the device
The device is so easy to assemble and operate that some craftsmen are attempting to assemble it themselves. The operating principle of a homemade and purchased unit is similar, and the resources spent on manufacturing or purchasing are almost the same.
Affordability
It is no coincidence that such heating devices are extremely popular. Despite the fact that there are few manufacturers of such devices on the market, they do not inflate the cost, since they understand perfectly well that such a device can be assembled at home. Combined with the low price of fuel, the consumer can recoup their purchase within the first heating season.
Photo 1. Two boilers (yellow and red) running on waste oil. Manufacturer: Thermobile.
Wide range of applications
Waste oil boilers are used not only for heating residential premises. They can often be found in offices, institutions, and even industrial and warehouse areas. It is these factors that have influenced the fact that such devices have received a wide range of applications.
Environmental friendliness
The fuel burns completely. At the same time, no toxic waste or harmful substances are released into the surrounding atmosphere. The operation of the device is absolutely harmless to people and the environment. Many manufacturers' models are marked with environmental safety marks from various environmental organizations.
Efficiency of use
The device quickly heats the air and the room around it and maintains the set temperature. Warmth is felt almost immediately after turning on the device.
It not only remains in the room and does not disappear over time, but also spreads to other rooms.
