Y Strainer - technical

[Leonardo]

Can any recommend a supplier for a 28mm Y-Strainer (Compression fittings) - that also supply a 50 micron mesh (even if the mesh has to be purchased separately)?

 

[Stigster]

Are you really thinking about putting such a system into your heating circuit? What are your thoughts at this point after this further discussion?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

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Just need some 1-22mm comp Male irons

Won’t need anything finer than 500 micros only use 50 microns on a drinking supply

 

[Brambles]

Unusual to require a strainer either Y or witches hat in a domestic heating system on anything other than a temporary basis for specific cleaning.

The reason being that the pressure drop across the stainer (particularly on small bore pipework) can be quite high - hence the use of a witches hat strainer.

To instal it properly, it should have a sensor to measure the pressure drop across the strainer to signal when cleaning is required or to shut off the boiler.

There are far more cost effective ways of cleaning a system.

Also be aware that with fine mesh filters the quality is vitally important - if the filter mesh brakes away in service ( which is not uncommon) - it can cause more problems that it solves.

Please don’t read this as being negative, but in design terms on hydraulic (water and oil) systems you only instal filters when the systems dictates that they are needed. You should not instal them as a “nice to have”

 

[king of pipes]

We would always install them in a commercial applications to protect the boilers, I have even fitted a few after a mag filter on problem systems especially with Glowworm boilers which were our go to boilers when I was working on the books, the flow sensors were a nightmare if a small amount of dirt got through so in the right application there is still a place for the y type stainer look at the boss brand online . Kop

 

[spanner]

Plate heat exchangers the worst , literally millimetres between the plates .

Finding Sometime almost impossible to clean using chemicals and rinsing through the ports with water

 

[townfanjon]

Finding Sometime almost impossible to clean using chemicals and rinsing through the ports with water

Spirit of salts has never failed me yet .

 

[spanner]

Had a few times both on pottos 24combi golds. Had to purchase and exchange. What's the chemical salt you used?? Mines corgi melt. Cheers

 

[Brambles]

Spirit of Salts is Hydrochloric Acid. I think that Kilrock drain cleaner is predominantly hydrochloric acid.

Very effectice, but be very careful when using it - not just for skin burns, but inhaling the fumes is very unpleasant.

I am surprised that they sell it over the counter / ebay.

 

[centralheatking]

A strainer could be installed in conjunction with a valved bypass so it could easily be isolated and cleaned. The strainer could even only be connected to the system for the first X amount of days before being removed and cleaned. Then you run the system through the bypass and not the strainer in normal use. You can bring the strainer back inline any time you wanted to. If any work is done on the system, soldering or cutting, new components fitted or replaced on the system and you are worried about particles of a certain size entering the system just bring the strainer back in for a while.

Now, I reckon I might be over thinking this but it would not hurt a heating system to have it in place at least. I see it as something that an enthusiastic homeowner who takes a lot of interest in their house's systems might like. I don't think it's something that would make it into every system in then country like magnetic cleaning will probably do one day.

That doesn't mean it is a bad idea though and if someone wants to spend the money and effort and they are happier for it nothing wrong with that.

Hi Stig, unfortunately with regard to homeowners (just like car owners) expecting enthusiasm with regards to maintenance is only really for the minority. Its just a box on their wall even less considered than their vehicles ..which can look quite sexy.
I can see a time soon when boilers will be leased just like most of new cars and mobile
phones. Bring it on more servicing and opportunity for your approach.
We were toying with an optical sensor fitted on the return last June at a meeting with
Teddington Systems ....its really their area of speciality.
centralheatking