Filter for heating system - design and installation. Dirt filters for the heating system and their installation Which filter to install in front of the gas boiler

Temperature and pressure changes in the heating system are the main factors in the rusting of pipes and steel elements. This leads to water clogging, which worsens the condition of radiators, boiler heat exchanger, etc. To avoid this, filters are needed for the heating system: mud, magnetic, sedimentation tanks and similar components.

Relevance of installing heating filters

What else causes changes in the composition of the coolant? Firstly, connect the make-up unit to the central water supply. In this case, mud filters for heating will retain most of the impurities.

In addition, there is another factor in the appearance of foreign elements in water. Even a carefully distilled coolant contains a certain percentage of mineral additives. As temperatures rise, it precipitates, forming limescale on the pipes. With sufficiently intense circulation, part of it enters the water in the form of particles of a fairly large fraction. An installed filter for the heating system will delay them, thereby leaving the system parameters at the proper level.

What filter elements should an autonomous heating system consist of?

• Pre-coarse cleaning. It is required to be installed when connecting to a central water supply to recharge the system. The optimal model is a sump filter in heating, in the flask of which all foreign components are collected;
• Fine cleaning. With its help, you can delay the movement of small particles whose size is less than 100 microns;
• Additional magnetic filters for heating. On their walls, made of a ferrimagnetic alloy, metallized particles remain - rust, chips from pipes, etc.

Selecting the most suitable filter models for heating must begin with a thorough analysis of each type.

Installing a dirt filter is mandatory, since even in an autonomous system with a well-treated coolant, rust from the pipes and boiler heat exchanger can get into the water.

Rough water purification with heating filters

The main component of the system for retaining large enough pollutants is a coarse filter for heating. Depending on the layout and type of heating, its installation in several areas is required. There are several models of coarse filters, which differ not only in design, but also in the material of manufacture.

Dirt filter

The simplest design is an element installed on a specific section of the system. It contains a mesh catcher located in the branch pipe of the structure.

It is mounted on the connection to the central heating system. For autonomous circuits, its installation is mandatory at branch points, on the return pipe before connecting it to the boiler and on bypasses.

Depending on the design and material of manufacture, a mud filter for a heating system can be of the following types:

• By connection method– threaded, welded or flanged;
• By location– vertical or horizontal.

The most common brass models are designed for maximum temperatures up to 150°C at pressures above 2.5 MPa. Steel types have the same characteristics, but they are more susceptible to corrosion. For plastic pipelines there is a polymer filter for the heating system. However, their operating temperature is much lower than for the others - the maximum coolant temperature is +90°C.

In order for the heating filter to properly perform its function, proper installation is necessary. The direction of movement of the coolant must be indicated on the body of the device. If you install it the other way around, then in addition to the lack of filtration, additional hydraulic resistance will arise.

It is also necessary to periodically clean the mesh from accumulated dirt and debris. To do this, there is a screw cap on the outlet pipe that can be removed. But first you must block the flow of coolant in this section of the pipeline.

A filter with a mesh for the heating system will protect the circulation pump from debris getting into the blades. If it is not installed, the likelihood of the impeller and motor failing increases significantly.

Sump filter

This is an improved model that allows you to avoid carrying out maintenance work for a long time. The specific design of a dirt filter for heating with a sump is the presence of a flask located at the bottom. Foreign components, lingering on the metal mesh under the influence of gravity, sink to its bottom. The flask is made of heat-resistant transparent plastic, which allows you to visually monitor the degree of contamination of the element.

Often, to reduce the oxygen content in water, a separator is installed in the same housing with the filter for the heating system. As the coolant passes through the filter, air is released, which is concentrated in the upper part of the structure. When a certain pressure value is reached, the drain valve opens.

The advantages and features of installing a similar model of coarse filter for heating are as follows:

• Possibility to visually control the degree of filling of the flask. A tap is installed below to drain contaminated liquid;
• Reducing the air content in water leads to minimizing corrosion processes on steel elements of the system;
• Installation is carried out almost immediately after the heating boiler. It is in this part of the pipeline that the temperature and pressure of the coolant are maximum, which contributes to better operation of the separator.

But you need to take into account the big difference in cost. The average price of a mud filter for a heating system is about 140 rubles. At the same time, a combined model with an air separator will cost much more – up to 7 thousand rubles.

Be sure to check the material used to make the flask at the settling filter. It should be heat-resistant plastic that will not lose its shape when exposed to high temperatures.

In autonomous systems, it is preferable to install an additional fine filter. It differs from the types discussed above in that a cassette is used as the main component. Depending on the design, it can have either a cylindrical or square shape. The latter is very rare, since the production of such species is associated with certain difficulties.

When choosing, you need to pay attention that the filter model for the heating system is designed for sufficiently high temperatures. If you install an analogue for water supply, the housing or filter element may be damaged under the influence of hot water. Another factor is throughput - it should not be less than the calculated pressure in the system. Typically this is 7.2 m³/hour.

What other parameters are important for a fine filter intended for installation in a heating system?

• Possibility of wall mounting. This is important for plastic pipelines, in which an increase in load due to filling the flask with water is not allowed;
• Filter element material. For heating, it is best to purchase mesh models made of metal;
• Maximum temperature and pressure values.

How relevant is the installation of fine filters for heating? If pre-treatment of the coolant has been carried out, you can do without them. In addition, when using antifreeze, installing a fine filter is prohibited. The density of the coolant will be much higher than that of water. This will make it difficult for it to flow through the filter element. The average cost of this heating component ranges from 2.2 to 4 thousand rubles.

A small increase in the budget for installing or upgrading heating with filters (mud, magnetic, settling tanks) will reduce the likelihood of an emergency.

Magnetic models of heating filters

Initially, the development of filters for a heating system with a magnet was designed only for water supply. However, their unique performance qualities have contributed to their use in heating.

The design consists of two permanent magnets with different poles located opposite each other. The metal elements in the water are small in size, therefore, once they enter the field of action of the magnetic heating filter, they remain on its surface. But how to clean it later? In fact, even after 10 years of operation, the level of contamination of the walls will be extremely low. This will not impact capacity on this portion of the system.

In addition to magnets, the composition may include heating dirt filters. But the main selection criterion is the design. It can be of two types:

• Removable. It consists of two plates installed on the heating pipe. Characterized by simple installation and the ability to quickly replace;
• Fixed. This is a pipe made of ferrimagnetic alloys. Unlike the model described above, monolithic magnetic filters for heating systems have a longer service life and are also characterized by high magnetic field performance.

The cost depends on the model, and in particular, its type and size of the magnetic part. The simplest filter with magnets for heating costs about 600 rubles. But a design with optimal operating parameters will cost 4-5 thousand rubles.

Is it worth installing all the described types or is it enough to get by with a coarse filter in the heating? Much is determined by the preliminary preparation of the coolant and the material used to make the pipes. For an autonomous system with plastic lines filled with distilled water, a filter with a sump is sufficient. When connecting to central heating, it is best to install all three types, since water in most cases contains a large amount of impurities and pollutants.

Additional nuances of installing and selecting a coarse filter can be found in the presented video material.

There is always water in the heating system, so its metal elements, and, first of all, the pipes, begin to rust from the inside over time. Particles of such rust begin to flake off and move along with the liquid throughout the heating system, clogging it. It also very often happens that water purification from sand and various particles does not meet the standards established previously. And in order to increase the service life of all elements of the heating system, it is necessary to install a filter - a mud filter for the heating system.

Dirt trap for heating system

Purpose of the mud collector

The fact that foreign fractions are present in the coolant may cause them to accumulate at pipe joints, thereby reducing their internal diameter. In addition, these fractions can clog the cavities of the heating circuit elements - circulation pump, heat exchanger, etc. All these negative aspects can significantly reduce the efficiency of your boiler, as well as increase the possibility of failures and breakdowns of the system. At the same time, with the same fuel consumption, the degree of heating of the coolant decreases. As a result, the user has to increase the operating power and switch to a different heating mode.

Mud collectors for heating systems are used to catch persistent mechanical particles - rust and scale, which can harm your equipment and fittings in the pipeline.

Types of filters

The most common type of filter is a mesh filter. It serves to trap mechanical impurities and filter the environment. Cleaning takes place here using a filter mesh, which is inserted into the filter housing.

Mesh filters come in the following subtypes:

• According to the degree of purification: coarse cleaning (mesh up to 300 microns-microns) (mud collectors) and fine cleaning (up to 5 microns-microns).
• By washing method: self-washing, rinsing, non-rinsing.
• According to the method of connection to the pipeline: threaded and flanged.

The corner mesh filter for the heating system (dirt filter) belongs to the coarse filters. Such filters are used to purify water from large and medium suspended fractions present in pipelines of water and heating networks.

Principle of operation

The principle of operation of the mud collector is extremely simple. Water goes into the pipe, then enters the internal cavity of the housing. Here suspended particles fall to the bottom in the form of sediment. Then, from the internal cavity of the mud filter, the liquid flows through a filter mounted inside the outlet pipe. Only after this the water that has passed through the filter enters the heating system in its pure form. Cleaning the mud trap from sediment is done by removing the glass from the outlet pipe. As mentioned above, a dirt filter for heating can have a threaded or flanged connection.

The heating system sump device is a pipeline expansion unit that changes the direction of water flow and filters it with a special mesh. It is under the mesh that the cutting off, precipitation and accumulation of large and medium fractions occurs.

The function of the mud collector is that it receives the source water, filters it from fractions, and removes purified water. The user needs to periodically clean the lower part of the case from the dirt that has accumulated.

Note that a mud filter for heating will work normally provided that the hydraulic resistance gradually increases according to the readings of instruments on the pipeline line before and after the mud filter.

Magnetic filter for heating

An excellent development in the field of heating systems is a magnetic filter for heating. The operation of such a filter is based on the use of a magnet: contaminant particles are pulled out from the general flow of liquid without affecting its flow.

Magnetic filter for heating

Under the influence of a magnetic field, particles are pulled out of the flow and accumulate in places specially designated for this purpose. Such devices do not in any way affect the pressure in the hydraulic system, so they can be used in the suction line of powerful pumps. The magnets in such filters are thin cylinders with an outer diameter of approximately 40 mm.

Each of us has a heating system at home. It is impossible to imagine any modern home without heating devices that provide full temperature conditions at any time of the year.

However, you need to remember that it is not enough to simply install a pipeline, connect the boiler to it and put it into operation. It is also necessary to take care of the quality of the water inside the pipes. A filter for the heating system copes well with these tasks.

What is a heating filter, why is it needed and what is it like? Let's figure it out now.

Why is it needed?

Let's imagine the design of the pipelines of an ordinary private house. Its heating system in 95% of cases consists of pipes and radiators that transport hot water.

Heating a house using pipes and water is an extremely convenient and effective way. However, many people forget that, just like when working with pipe systems for water supply, heating pipes and the heaters themselves also need to be protected from working with low-quality media.

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the quality of the water in the pipes, even if we get the bulk of the water from a well drilled ourselves.

Tap water often contains coarse and small particles of dirt, sand, small fractions of waste, chlorine, etc. Let's not forget about small organic waste or various metal elements.

The same applies, although to a lesser extent, to the quality of water from a well. It also happens that a well was not drilled in the best area. For example, the soil on your site has too much iron. In this case, the water will gradually become saturated with small iron elements, which negatively affect the insides of the pipes in the heating system.

But this is only a superficial analysis of several reasons why you may need a water purification filter.

1.1 What happens if you don’t install a filter?

Many people will ask, why do you actually need a heating filter? What's the use of it? This is not a water supply system, the water from which we constantly use for personal needs, hygiene, food, etc.

These questions are very reasonable. We will try to answer them. The main thing you need to understand is the importance of the heating system as a structure. Few people pay attention to it, especially if there are no breakdowns inside the house. However, believe me, if the heating system of a private house fails, you will notice it immediately.

There are several vulnerable points in heating pipelines:

• Heating circuit pipes;
• Circulation pump design;

Heating pipes are no different from water supply pipes. Except perhaps for a slightly reinforced structure, because their task is to constantly transport hot water.

They also suffer from poor-quality or dirty media, rust, and become clogged with waste. Considering the need for uninterrupted pumping of large masses of hot water, the rate of sedimentation even increases.

Sooner or later, the space inside will become so clogged that the passage of liquid through it will simply become impossible. The pressure inside the system will increase, which can lead to the most unpleasant consequences (take into account the influence of hot water) up to a breakthrough or failure of heating devices.

The same applies to radiators. Although the radiator cavity still suffers less from precipitation.

The design of the circulation pump suffers in a similar way. Unlike pipes, the chamber and inlets of the circulation pump are almost not subject to the negative influence of sediment, but large particles of debris and metal elements can create problems for them.

Over time, the condition of a circulation pump operated in a poor-quality environment will greatly deteriorate to the point of complete failure. This is why many plumbers recommend installing mud filters or coarse filters in front of the inlet chamber of any pump, especially a circulation pump.

However, clogged pipes, radiators or failure of the circulation pump are not such a big problem. In any case, it can be solved by simply replacing individual components or cleaning them.

What cannot be dealt with so quickly is a boiler breakdown. It does not matter whether you use an electric or gas heater, in any case it must be limited from working with contaminated liquid.

Without complete cleaning, the water in the heating chamber and tank will gradually clog the insides of the boiler. This will lead to a deterioration in its functional characteristics, frequent overheating, and in particularly advanced cases – to breakdowns.

2 Where to install?

Let's figure out where and how the heating filter should be installed. Installing the filter depends on what device we are going to install.

The coarse filter is used the least, but you can’t do without it. Mud collectors, as they are popularly called, must be installed so that they sift out large waste from all the liquid that enters the heating system.

It is advisable to install a coarse filter at the inlet of the system or at the inlet to the pump structure. If the pipeline is large, with a huge number of radiators, then it is recommended to install mudguards at all forks, especially between floors.

Fine filters perform more specific tasks and more of them are needed per pipeline as a percentage. They work best in tandem with mud collectors, but only if they are installed after the first ones.

A magnetic filter, which performs rather specific tasks of removing metal particles from the flow, should be mounted at the entrances to the system, and also for safety, in front of the heater inlet pipe.

2.1 Types and differences

When choosing a filter for a boiler, you need to pay attention to its types. We have already partially noted several of the most popular types of filters.

There are filters:

• Rough cleaning;
• Fine cleaning;
• Magnetic.

Let's look at each option separately. Let's start with samples for rough cleaning, since not a single heating circuit of any private home can do without them.

Coarse filters or mud filters are simple fittings that filter out excess particles from the flow inside the circuit.

Screening is carried out by a mesh element. The filter itself is a coupling with an oblique design. Inside the coupling there is a mesh filter, and also, if you have a modern model, a small outlet for waste accumulation.

The mesh element does not interfere with the movement of the flow in any way and does not slow it down in any way. Its task is to remove large foreign particles, that’s all.

The fitting for fine cleaning is usually installed after the mud trap. A mesh or membrane filter with small pores is already installed on it. The average pore diameter is 100 µm.

Thus, the device manages to filter out most of the waste that can then turn into sludge. These include various magnesium salts, particles of chlorine, rust, etc.

It has been proven that the presence of coarse and fine filters has a positive effect on the condition of pipes and radiators in heating systems.

It remains to consider the magnetic sample. The magnetic filter is somewhat different from those we discussed above. In it, the main work, as is probably clear from the name, is carried out by a magnetic mechanism.

The magnetic sample performs a simple and very useful task - it removes all remaining particles of iron and rust. Moreover, it does this thanks to two or four magnets located inside the coupling.

The benefits that a magnetic cleaning device brings to the heating circuit and boiler can hardly be overestimated.

2.2 Using coarse cleaning filters for heating (video)

2.3 Installation and maintenance

We will give some tips on how best to use a combination of cleaning devices to maximize the service life of heating systems in a private home.

From our point of view, it would be correct to use all types of filters. Don't skimp. The cost of a filter is slightly more than the cost of a regular fitting, but repairing or cleaning pipes will cost you much more.

We recommend installing a coarse filter at the system entrances. If the flow is small and goes through a single pipe, then one sample is enough. Otherwise, it would be correct to install one filter in the liquid pumping station directly next to the pump, and the second at the inlet to the heating circuit.

Magnetic filters are mounted directly in front of the entrance to the heating circuit pipes and additionally on the inlet pipe to the heater.

The cleaning elements must be cleaned from time to time, and if they are too clogged, they must be completely replaced.

It is advisable to remove the parts once a season, preferably in the summer, wash them under running water and change the cassettes if necessary.

Monitor the condition of the membranes and meshes inside the couplings. Loss of ductility and excessive convexity indicate excessive wear of the membrane. In this case, it needs to be changed.

When it comes time to think about the heating system in your home, a lot of technical questions arise. Of course, you want to do everything correctly, thoroughly and inexpensively. But it’s not enough just to properly plan the system itself; you also need to take care of the water flowing in the veins of your home. Excessive water hardness and abrasive impurities in it can shorten the life of your system by decades. Today there are many ways to purify water. And you definitely shouldn’t skimp on them. Savings here will entail large expenses in the future, including replacement of machinery and equipment. When using water from a well or reservoir, several filters must be used to protect the coolant. There are four main and mandatory ones:

• ion exchange resin filter
• cascade mechanical cleaning filter
• universal filter mesh

The uninitiated user, of course, will have natural questions. What are heating filters for, are they useful, do you need to use them all at once and at what stage? The questions are natural and require a detailed answer. It is worth planning the installation of filters at the design stage of your home. It is necessary to allocate space for them, taking into account installation and maintenance. Provide a connection system. If the moment was missed, the filters can be installed later, but this will entail additional labor costs. Therefore, if you are still at the planning stage, it’s time to study each filter in detail.

A flush filter for heating systems is necessary for the mechanical purification of water supplied to a heating system with a working environment temperature of up to one hundred and ten degrees. The filter purifies water from suspended matter, mud and silt deposits, sand, etc. The cascade filter is more compact than other filters with similar functionality. The volume reduction was achieved thanks to the latest nested filter system. Two filter elements of different sizes are placed one inside the other, and the vertically directed water is twisted into a spiral and is effectively cleaned of mechanical impurities. The device is installed strictly vertically. Cleaning the filter elements is quite simple; there is no need to remove the mesh inserts. The body and bulb are most often nickel-plated. Filter elements made of stainless steel. The filter does not take up much space. Simple and reliable in operation.

Universal filter mesh

The simplest mesh filter for heating. It consists of a body (metal) and a cylindrical mesh located inside the flask. The housing is closed with a plug or tap, depending on the type of filter. Connection system - flange. There are washable and non-washable filters. Non-flush ones must be replaced at the end of their service life. The washers last a long time thanks to cleaning. It is necessary to stop the water circulation, dismantle the cover, remove and wash the mesh, and install it. In addition to its relatively low price, the mesh is attractive due to its simple design, easy maintenance and cheap components. This filter is installed in front of the fine cleaning system. This is the penultimate level of protection. Serves to purify water from scale or solid inclusions. Pipe fittings or pumps damaged by scale will cost tens of times more than a cheap filter. The filter does not take up much space.

Coarse filter

The filter is installed when connecting the heating system to the central water supply. It is a flask with a filter element inside. The connection can be flanged or coupling, depending on the diameter of the water supply pipes. Necessary for filtering large contaminants. Effectively retains dirt, sand, large abrasive impurities. It will reliably protect the heating system from large elements, but will let small ones through. It is also not capable of chemical cleaning or water softening. He cannot purify the water to the desired state on his own. Doesn't take up much space. The coarse filter is the first line of defense for your home's water supply.

Ion exchange resin filter

The main component of this filter for heating systems is granular resin saturated with sodium ions. Installed directly behind the coarse filter. Necessary for reducing water hardness. It is known for certain that hard water is a big problem and an immediate threat to all household appliances. The heating system is no exception.

• Softening water will significantly extend its service life,
• It will reduce scale formation or stop this process altogether.
• In addition to scale, the filter is able to combat chlorine impurities, oxidation, iron, and salts.

Such a system takes up quite a lot of space and requires frequent maintenance. When installing, make sure there is enough space not only for installation, but also for routine maintenance. Undoubtedly, such a system is necessary in every home.

In this video we talk in detail about the use of an ion exchange resin filter (watch from 14:15):

To replace the filter loading, you can call a specialist, or do it yourself. When the cleaning system stops working properly, it is necessary to dismantle the system and wash the filler using high water pressure, then load gravel or table salt. Add filler. First turn off the water supply to the heating system and drain the remaining water.

You can choose the right ion exchange resin filter only after analyzing the water. Only by passing the sample to specialists and knowing the composition can you choose a filter that suits its characteristics. Contact the professionals.

Each of the filters takes its place in the chain, complementing each other and jointly creating a single cleaning front. Provide protection for expensive equipment, increase service life and save you money on maintenance. It is recommended to use such a filtration system not only in the heating system. Water treated in this way can be drunk; it significantly extends the life of a washing machine, dishwasher, faucets and other water-related equipment. Equip your home correctly to get the maximum benefit and benefits from modern technologies.

This is what a filter element looks like, designed for installation in heating systems where hot water is used as a coolant. This is an important element in the heating system, as it ensures its uninterrupted and trouble-free operation.

It is designed to trap small particles of debris and water impurities, preventing them from entering the pump or boiler, as this can lead to consequences such as failure, the need for repairs, etc.

Today on the market there are samples of straight and oblique filters that are mounted directly into the main pipe. Both options are equipped with a mesh inside with very small cells (800 microns), which retains even the smallest particles of debris in the coolant

Design features

From the name itself it is clear that a filter for a heating system is an element that is responsible for the cleanliness of the incoming coolant.

According to the principle of their design, they are divided into the following types:

• Coal;
• Mechanical;
• Electronic.

Carbon is designed to remove unpleasant odors, mechanical is capable of trapping small particles up to 0.3 microns in size, electronic – up to 0.01 microns. That is, all types of small particles of debris are removed, which can accumulate in the boiler and cause failure of the heating equipment.

It can be:

• sand particles;
• tiny particles of rust;
• lime deposits;
• dust containing various components;
• gaseous impurities, etc.

Installation and maintenance features

It is quite possible to install the filter with your own hands, but there are several important points that you should familiarize yourself with even before installation work. This will allow you to do everything correctly, even if you are not a professional in this field.

Important! A heating filter is installed only in front of the pump in the home heating system! Installation in another place is simply pointless, since coolant with particles of dirt and sediment will still get into the pump and boiler.

Heating filters can have different circumference diameters (15-100 mm), the choice depends on the diameter of the pipes in the place where installation is to be done. It must be installed in a vertical position, on special brackets.

1. Before installation, you should thoroughly clean the heating system pipeline from rust, scale, metal particles and other types of contaminants;
2. When choosing filters for a heating system, you must remember that it must correspond to the conditions of the working environment where it will be used (medium, temperature, pressure);
3. For installation, it is recommended to choose a place that is as accessible as possible for inspection and maintenance in the future (not forgetting the technical requirements for the place of its installation - on the “return”, in front of the pump!);
4. It is important that the diameter of the hole exactly matches the diameter of the pipes at the installation site. This will ensure reliable installation and eliminate the occurrence of mechanical stresses in the future (distortions, stretching, bending, etc.)

Maintenance and cleaning

Cleaning the device is simple:

• from precipitation by reverse flow of water;
• mesh cleaning(the lid is unscrewed, the mesh is pulled out, cleared of accumulated debris and put back in its place).

The mesh is easily removed; there is no need to completely dismantle it. This makes it easy to tackle the cleaning task yourself.

Advice: cleaning must be carried out at least once every six months. Only in this case can we talk about the effectiveness of using the filter element.

Why is it worth installing a filter on your heating system?

Many users may quite logically be interested in the question of whether it is necessary to install filters for heating systems? It is worth noting that even without organizing cleaning, the equipment can function normally, another question is how long?

First of all, such an installation is necessary to ensure reliable and uninterrupted operation of heating equipment, eliminating emergency situations and failures.

The price of heating filters is not so high; its timely purchase and installation will cost much less than later repair or replacement of heating elements. Not to mention the fact that an accident in the heating system will lead to such unpleasant consequences as cold and discomfort in the house (after all, it is during the cold season that the thermal regime must be maintained).

The advantages of the installation include:

• reliable protection of the system from blockages;
• it is not necessary to change the water (coolant) so often;
• the service life of heating equipment is extended;
• cost savings;
• confidence in the reliability and uninterrupted operation of the system.

Conclusion

It is enough to watch the video, which describes the installation technology, to understand that there is nothing complicated here.

Practicality and a reasonable approach will ensure rational and justified savings of money, time, nerves and effort for the owner!