wwhitney
In the Trades
Hello,
I'm installing a hydronic system for the first time, and have a couple questions on the air separator. The system uses a reverse cycle chiller (chiltrix.com) rather than a boiler, but I figure the hydronics are comparable. I installed this air separator: https://www.supplyhouse.com/Webstone-H-72004-V-1-MIP-Vertical-Brass-Air-Separator
1) Once I get the system filled and pressurized and most of the air out, I understand the air separator will continue to help remove any dissolved air. The air accumulates at the top of the air separator, pushing down a float. Then when there's enough air to push the float down far enough, a vent valve opens and releases most of the air. So in a closed system without makeup water, that air release will cause the pressure to drop.
Is that all correct, or have I got some of the details wrong? If the pressure will drop, is there a procedure for manually introducing more pressurized water at the purge and fill valve without introducing more air? I have this purge and fill valve: https://www.supplyhouse.com/Webstone-48614-1-IPS-Purge-Fill-Full-Port-Forged-Brass-Ball-Valve
2) At various points of construction, I've air tested the hydronic system to check for leaks. The last time I did that the pressure held on the timescale of minutes, but bled off on the timescale of days. The air separator was installed for that test. Is that the expected behavior of the air separator? Or should the air separator hold pressure during an air test, and I should look elsewhere for a slow leak?
Thanks,
Wayne
I'm installing a hydronic system for the first time, and have a couple questions on the air separator. The system uses a reverse cycle chiller (chiltrix.com) rather than a boiler, but I figure the hydronics are comparable. I installed this air separator: https://www.supplyhouse.com/Webstone-H-72004-V-1-MIP-Vertical-Brass-Air-Separator
1) Once I get the system filled and pressurized and most of the air out, I understand the air separator will continue to help remove any dissolved air. The air accumulates at the top of the air separator, pushing down a float. Then when there's enough air to push the float down far enough, a vent valve opens and releases most of the air. So in a closed system without makeup water, that air release will cause the pressure to drop.
Is that all correct, or have I got some of the details wrong? If the pressure will drop, is there a procedure for manually introducing more pressurized water at the purge and fill valve without introducing more air? I have this purge and fill valve: https://www.supplyhouse.com/Webstone-48614-1-IPS-Purge-Fill-Full-Port-Forged-Brass-Ball-Valve
2) At various points of construction, I've air tested the hydronic system to check for leaks. The last time I did that the pressure held on the timescale of minutes, but bled off on the timescale of days. The air separator was installed for that test. Is that the expected behavior of the air separator? Or should the air separator hold pressure during an air test, and I should look elsewhere for a slow leak?
Thanks,
Wayne