Recognize this cylinder?

[winfiem]

Gentlemen,

We've moved into a house with an ageing (and inefficient) central heating system. Early investigations quickly turned up this little 100 mm high copper cylinder on the hot flow from the boiler. It is placed just below the upstairs ceiling, and connected immediately before the cold water make-up inlet. Next thing connected downstream is the pump.

<== here it is wih the boiler, and here's a close-up ==>

I can't work out whether it is vital, redundant, a trouble-maker, or something in between! In particular, is it affecting the heating system efficiency? Can anyone identify it for me, please, and / or advise on its value?

Thanks in anticipation, Mark

 

[vern]

Gentlemen,

We've moved into a house with an ageing (and inefficient) central heating system. Early investigations quickly turned up this little 100 mm high copper cylinder on the hot flow from the boiler. It is placed just below the upstairs ceiling, and connected immediately before the cold water make-up inlet. Next thing connected downstream is the pump.

View attachment 8433 <== here it is wih the boiler, and here's a close-up ==>View attachment 8434

I can't work out whether it is vital, redundant, a trouble-maker, or something in between! In particular, is it affecting the heating system efficiency? Can anyone identify it for me, please, and / or advise on its value?

Thanks in anticipation, Mark

It acts as a de aerator, do a google search on myson Aerjec for details, save my fingers!

 

[snowhead]

It's a tower air separator, similar to Aerjec, but not as troublesome.

Tower 28mm Air Separator: Heating Controls Online

Yours looks like it's been cut out in the past and refitted.

 

[winfiem]

Vern, you're spot on - many thanks! Mark

 

[vern]

Vern, you're spot on - many thanks! Mark

As above yours is a tower, but the principle is the same, just that the myson brings loads of pictures and explanations, they work but can block up if the system has been neglected!

 

[winfiem]

Snowhead, thanks for your response. I think this system has suffered a lot of modification over time.

Right now I think there is a great deal of sludge in our system - three of the radiators are cold in the middle at the bottom, and hot on both sides and at the top. From what you and Vern have explained, someone must have decided this corrosion was due to excessive aeration of the water ... and later decided the air separator wasn't working ... or something. Anyway, I now suspect the only thing is to take off the affected radiators and wash them through, or replace them.

Thanks to you both. Mark

 

[AWheating]

possible powerflush needed.

 

[WHPES]

Air separator. Usually a bodge-up to try and get round a problem with air getting into the system as a result of incorrect plumbing. It's the air and pumping over which causes the corrosion and sludge

Power flush and get rid of the air separator and feed & expansion cistern by converting to a sealed system, and say goodbye to your problems.

 

[vern]

Air separator. Usually a bodge-up to try and get round a problem with air getting into the system as a result of incorrect plumbing. It's the air and pumping over which causes the corrosion and sludge

Power flush and get rid of the air separator and feed & expansion cistern by converting to a sealed system, and say goodbye to your problems.

Correct, Make sure the boiler is suitable for a sealed system first though, if so it will have an overheat stat fitted also!