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Posted by Heatpro on November 27, 2005 at 10:51:13:
In Reply to: Re: piping buffer tank into boiler loop posted by Jim on November 27, 2005 at 08:51:30:
If the boiler is a cast or steel boiler with a LOT of water in it, then yes, but there really is little need for the buffer tank when piped in series.
If the boiler is a small-tube, low-water-content boiler, then piping the tank in series does little to help the boiler.
The problem is
PART LOADS of heat output
with FULL loads
of boiler output.
The purpose of the buffer tank is to pass enough water through the tank back to the boiler to give it time to react instead of flashing water in the tubes from low flow. Taking small loads off of one or two zones lowers the water flow through the boiler.
Pipe the buffer tank in series with the boiler while restricting the water flow with unused zone flow and you lose the ability to
GUARANTEE ENOUGH WATER TO HEAT slowly
using the full output of the burner.
Part loads of 50,000 btuh or less with a 100,000 btuh low-water-content boiler is looking for trouble.
The buffer tank is added when needed to increase the water mass the boiler can heat to slow the heating rate enough so the controls can react
it is NOT a decoration.