GB2506945A - Apparatus for purging particulates from a central heating system - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus is adapted to remove particulate matter from a central heating system during power flushing of the system. The apparatus comprises at least one magnet, preferably in the form of a magnetic collar I mounted around a transparent bypass flushing pipe K and fixed thereto by screws P. Inside the bypass pipe there may be two tapering bevelled scrapers B that each include a plurality of apertures A. The apertures on the upstream scraper direct incoming water E towards an inner circumferential wall C of the collar so that iron oxide particles entrained in the water are attracted to and held against the wall by the magnetic collar. The scrapers may be held apart from one another by a support bar Q in the form of a non-magnetic wire mesh to capture non-ferrous matter. Preferably, the central heating system includes a tank in a roof space, a safety vent pipe terminating over the tank and a combined feed and expansion pipe leading to a lower region of the tank. Ideally the apparatus is located in use so as to communicate the safety vent pipe with the combined feed and expansion pipe during flushing (see figure 5).

Description

Pual action fluid diffuser 3ackground to the invention Typical central heating systems are made up of Multi metal corrodible components and are subject to high operating temperatures, variations in water composition I oxygen concentration, pH, oils, grease, flux residues, jointing compounds and hydrodynamic forces. Pue to public unawareness of the damaging effects corrosion may have to a central heating system, the system may remain totally neglected, suffering irreparable corrosion damage. Heay iron oxide contamination may impede the interaction between any water treatment chemicals (inhibitor) and the base metal -possibly preventing any chemical protection whatsoever.

Industi research has empirically proven abrasive iron oxide particles leads to premature component damage, for example; blocked waterways within boiler heat exchangers and pipes. radiators and pumps, reducing the overall heat transfer efficiency, resulting in higher energy consumption and co2 emissions. While the metal lost in mils per year may be acceptable, often overlooked is the consequence of high volumes of iron oxide settling onto the radiators interior, and as a result, large volumes of ferromagnetic waterborne particulates settle within the base of the combined feed and expansion tank, (normally located within the roof space).

* -Furthermore, when the cold feed and expansion pipe becomes blocked or heavily restricted from such debris accumulation, the resulting negative effects can be commonly seen by the boiler banging, overheating or even the boiler heat exchanger * cracking under extreme high temperatures and stress.

Repair execution techniques utilising high velocity power flushing machines aided by purposely designed chemical cleaning agents, assist in the removal of stubborn corrosion barriers adhered throughout the systems interior. Unfortunately, when exercising power flushing techniques, often overlooked is the open safety vent pipe.

typically seen as terminating over the tank, and the combined feed and expansion pipe, typically seen as exiting the lower region of the tank (both of which, commonly located in a typical roof space). Many engineers within the field will simply cap off these two sections of pipe work, by way of using push fit type fittings or compression type fittings to prevent the power flushing machine from pumping into the tank.

causing severe overflowing and possibly severe water damage. Unfortunately, without a continual flowing circuit between the open vent and the cold feed pipe, heavy debris accumulation within the untreated pipe work leaches back into the system when refilled with clean water (after power flushing the system).

Petailed description:

A plurality of strategically located detachable spherical apertures to alter the states of fluids in motion and further direct towards the magnetic inner circumferential wall (see fig 2 A & 4 A) and further comprising tapering bevelled scrapers (see fig 2 6 & 4 3) located transversely within the transparent flushing pipe but may also be positioned equidistant or at opposite ends of the magneticcollars when in service(see fig 4 1)) where the fluid inlet (see fig 4 E) and fluid outlet (see fig 4 F) are arranged such that in use, the flow of fluid is directed towards the magnetic section of the inner circumferential wall of the bypass flushing pipe (see fig 4 K), where the waterborne ferromagnetic particulates entrained within the fluid handling system are rapidly intercepted and fully retained within the bypass flushing pipe. Pual action fluid diffusers which may be opposite facing and in series, may be supported centrally for robustness which further improves and directs the flow of fluid towards the inner circumferential wall by further reducing the annular gap (see fig 4 0). The magnetic collar simply slides longitudinally iii either direction along the bypass flushing pipe and over the fixed dual action fluid diffusers, where the 360 degree tapered bevelled edges, forms an effective purging mechanism, crcing the captured system debris to fall away from the surface of the inner circumferential wall and drop freely within the lower region of the bjpass flushing pipe. The magnetic collars may be clamped down firmly onto the dual action fluid diffusers and bypass flushing pipe by way of thumbscrews or similar for efficiency, thus, preventing movement during flushing in various positions and very simple to remove as and when needed for cleaning (see fig 3 F & 4 F). The diametric arc magnets located within the slide able collar may be flush with the inner circumferential wall (see fig 3 C & 4 C)and may be covered on one side with magnetic material such as sheet steel or similar to further increase the magnetic flux density towards the wall of the bypass flushing pipe (see fig 3 H). The magnets may be arranged sequentially, being divided or undivided magnetic sections and may also ectend the entirety of the collar (see fig 3 I & 4 I).

The outer surface of the bypass flushing pipe substantially conforms to the inner surface of the collar. The wall thickness of the bypass flushing pipe. particularly the region in close proximity with the magnetic inner circumferential wall of the sliding collar, may be infinitely decreased!n thickness to maximise the measure of magnetism exerted, thus, capturing a greater amount of waterborne ferromagnetic particulates entrained within the fluid handling system and preventing further damage elsewhere within the system (see fig 1 J).

-the bypass fiushin pipe overcomes different size diameters in relation to the open vent pipe size by way of an adjustable high temperature rated flexible adaptor (see fig 1 N) whereas the other end of the bypass flushing pipe terminates with an angled compression fitting allowing joining directly onto the cold feed & expansion pipe which already has a compression nut fitted as part; of the tank connector (see fig 10).

Further advantageous benefits to the present invention can also be seen by way of the magnets design, location and the total surface area communicating with the thinned region of the bypass flushing pipe. Pue to the plurality of North and South facing magnets, true magnetic surface area and design, provides a greater flux density and greater mass, capturing almost instantly increased volumes of waterborne ferromagnetic particulates entrained within the fluid handling system. In addition to this, the present invention is arranged such, that longevity of magnetic attraction can be provided and be totally free from corrosive attack, The High powered neodymium and/or rare earth, high temperature rated magnets within the present invention, are positioned such, that waterborne ferromagnetic particulates entering the bypass flushing pipe are immediately drawn towards the inner circumferential wall and with assistance of the fluid diffuser, promotes rapid interception.

Pue to utilising special polymer formulations with unicue nonstick and release properties (fluoropolymers), the surface energy of the tapering bevelled fluid diffuser is reduced, where the super hydrophobic surface repels any moving contaminants, and because of this low coefficient of friction, it allows the abrasive part.iculates, grease and lubricants to be released with ease.

It is therefore an object and need of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for effectively flushing neglected sections of pipe work / fittings within a typical central heating system, especially when power flushing with a purposely designed machine, and by so doing, further prevent the untreated and debris accumulated sections of pipe work /fittings from leaching back into the clean and flushed out fluid handling system both during and after flushing the system.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus of purging ferromagnetic particulates which can achieve a high degree of interception rapidly in an economically, efficient manner, within a simplified and much more reliably constructed arrangement, having the advantages of quicker cleaning and in a much more controlled manner when removing the captured particulates. In addition to this, the present invention is arranged such, that longevity of magnetic attraction can be provided as the corrosive fluid and the magnet(s) located within the collar may be totally isolated from one another.

The present applicant has identified a need for an invention to overcome and exceed the limitations of magnetic capturing capacity being exhibited within prior arts.

A further need has been identified by the present applicant to ensure that difficult to clean and abrasive iron oxide residues are not left behind on the magnet whatsoever during service life, ensuring 100% of captured ferromagnetic particutates remain within the bypass flushing pipe only, thus, not re-entering the central heating system likely to cause further damage elsewhere within the fluid handling system.

Claims (2)

1. SClaims: An apparatus and method utilising a transparent bypass flushing pipe for ease of visual communication, which may incorporate an adjustable and flexible high temperature rated adaptor to overcome metric and imperial open vent pipe sizes and may incorporate an angled compression fitting to accommodate the nut already fitted on the cold feed tank connection fitting. Furthermore, a slide able magnetic collar and or hinged arrangement for quick release purposes may be utilised to intercept and retain the waterborne ferromagnetic particulates entrained within the wet fluid handling system, which may comprise of different density, consistency, solidity and size. Furthermore, a plurality of strategically located spherical fluid diffusers, which may be detachable, alters the states of fluid and the equidistant positioned support bar further reduces the annular gap within the fluid diffuser section and takes control of the turbulent hydrodynamic forces and waterborne ferromagnetic particulates exerted by the high velocity power flushing machine pump, and by so doing, directs the fluid and waterborne ferromagnetic particulates in a controlled manner towards the niagnetised inner circumferential wall of the bypass flushing pipe. The equidistant located support bar may further acconimodate a detachable non magnetic wire mesh gauze which may be tubular in shape to capture non-ferrous thread turnings, jointing thread tape and jointing paste compounds, which the magnetic collar is unable to intercept. This arrangement captures a greater mass of waterborne ferromagnetic and non magnetic particulates from within the wet fluid handling systeri which may be purged from the bypass flushing pipe by simply sliding the magnetic collar longitudinally over the tapering bevelled edge of the duai action fluid diffusers, The dual action fluid diffusers then take on its second function by scraping the captured ferromagnetic particulates off the inner circumferential wall of the flushing bypass pipe and collects freely within the lower region of the flushing bypass pipe. The entire contents of the captured debris can be rinsed under running water in a controllable manner, remote from the point of installation with ease.An apparatus comprising dual action fluid diffusers with integrated scrapers. positioned equidistant or at each end of the slid able Magnetic collar(s) but positioned transversely within the bypass flushing pipe, further comprising a plurality of strategically located spherical apertures having a greater cross sectional area in number, to that of the cross sectional area of both inlet and outlet of pipeline, thus, preventing frictional resistance within the pipeline likely to affect flow performance.The plurality of strategically located spherical apertures may be positioned in a longitudinal direction at the inlets and positioned ri an angled direction at the outlets to further direct the waterborne ferromagnetic particulates towards the magnetic inner circumferential wall of the bypass flushing pipe. Numerous dual action fluid diffusers may be in series and may be opposite facing from one another and supported -centrally, which improves the flow of fluid being directed towards the inner circumferential wall due to reducing the annular gap within the fluid diffuser section. This further ensures each dual action fluid diffuser remains transversely positioned within the bypass flushing pipe when each powerful magnetic collar slides away in an opposite direction from one another which may exhibit heavy debris accumulation. The equidistant positioned support bar may be further reduced in diameter to accommodate a non magnetic filter medium such as a non ferrous wire mesh sleeve. The altered states of fluids in motion, is directed towards the magnetic section of the inner circumferential wall of the bypass flushing pipe, where all waterborne ferromagnetic particulates entrained within the fluid handling system become rapidly intercepted and retained by very powerful magnetic attraction to the inner circumferential wall.avoiding further damage elsewhere within the fluid handling system.Further advantageous benefits of the dual action fluid diffusers can be seen by way of a 6O degree tapering bevelled edge to form a simple yet very effective scraper. The dual action fluid diffusers with integrated particulate scraper may comprise of non-magnetic metal such as brass or stainless steel or special polymer formulations with unique non-stick and release properties (fluoropolymers). where the surface energy of' the diffuser is reduced, and the super hydrophobic surface repels any moving contaminants. because of this low coefficient of friction, it easily allows the abrasive water borne particulates, grease and lubricants to be released when rinsing clean.
2. 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a magnetic collar which may be circular in cross section, having high powered rieodyrniurri and/or rare earth magnets located within the wall of the slide able collar, provides a much greater capturing capacity due to a larger true magnetic working area, which rapidly attracts the waterborne ferromagnetic particulates entrained within the fluid handling system. The slide able magnetic collar and dual action fluid diffusers may be locked into position on the bypass flushing pipe to prevent movement under hydrodynaniic forces by way of quick release thurnbscrews or similar. the magnets design, location and the total true magnetic surface area communicating with the thinned region of the bypass flushing pipe. provides a greater flux density, increasing capturing ability thereby instantly increasing the capture rate of waterborne ferromagnetic particulates entrained within the fluid handling system. In addition to this, the present invention is arranged such that no additional, expensive coatings need to be applied to the magnet(s) surface, so longevity of magnetic attraction is provided due to the magnet(s) and the corrosive fluid simply being totally isolated from one another. The problems encountered with prior arts exhibiting a removable magnet which may be subject to corrosion and risk of damages when separating the magnet from the sleeve and housing for cleaning are simply overcome.. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a bypass flushing pipe which may comprise of transparent sections for visual communication and may also be circular in cross section, with an outer surface substantially conforming to the inner surface of the slide able collar. The wall thickness of the bypass flushing pipe, particularly the region in connection with the magnetic collar, may be infinitely decreased to interpenetrate the maximum measure of magnetism available, which permeates through the wall of the bypass flushing pipe, thus, capturing a greater amount of waterborne ferromagnetic particulates entrained within the fluid handling systeril compared to those exhibited within prior arts. The inlet and outlet of the bypass flushing pipe may comprise of adjustable high temperature rated flexible adaptors to overcome different diameters on the open vent and cold feed pipe and may also be interconnecting quick release male and or female snap-lock type fittings when utilising directly onto or neC to a power flushing machine but may even also comprise of other types of interconnecting fittings to suit various applications elsewhere within the fluid handling system.