The main types of gases. Gas cylinders Wall mounted gas boilers

Gas autonomous heating is by far the most popular in everyday life, given the scale of application. Natural gas is the most affordable type of fuel for efficient autonomous heating of residential premises. A home boiler is a technically advanced, high-tech unit that, by burning gas in a combustion chamber, heats the coolant in the heating system. Today, various types of gas heating boilers are widely represented on the market for heating and heating equipment, designed for living quarters of an apartment or a private house of almost any area.

Internal arrangement of gas boilers

Consider the main components and arrangement of gas heating boilers.

Heat exchangers

The efficiency of the gas boiler is determined by the heat exchanger, which is one of the main structural elements. Like boilers by type of placement, heat exchangers differ in the material of manufacture. The most common heat exchangers are of three types:

steel - installed in gas boilers of budget models;
stainless steel - wall-mounted boilers are equipped with them;
cast iron - almost all models are equipped in the floor version.

If we talk in detail about each type of heat exchanger, then it is important to know the following:

Steel devices are easy to manufacture, but in terms of durability they lose to stainless steel and cast iron products, as they are susceptible to corrosion. In addition, steel oxidation products get into the water and accumulate in radiators, so the cost of units with a steel heat exchanger is lower than the price of other options, which, with a limited budget, often becomes the main selection criterion.
Cast iron is a fragile material, but operation in a gas boiler eliminates shock loads, and this drawback is not fundamental. Cast iron is subject to oxidation, but to a weak degree, so the chemical composition of water from contact with cast iron almost does not change. The heat capacity of boilers with cast iron heat exchangers is high, due to the characteristics of the material of manufacture. Units of this type are durable.
Stainless steel heat exchangers are aesthetically pleasing, impact resistant and do not change the chemical composition of the water. Their price is the highest of the three assembly options, since, in addition to the listed advantages, it is due to the high cost of the material and complex manufacturing technology.

Cast iron heat exchangers and stainless steel products have approximately the same efficiency and durability. If, when choosing a gas boiler, proceed from considerations of reliability and functionality, then models with a cast-iron heat exchanger should be preferred - autonomous gas heating is installed for more than one year, it is important to take into account the resource of the gas boiler and the possibility of routine repairs.

Gas-burners

Any gas heating boiler, regardless of design and type, is equipped with a gas burner. This is a device through which natural gas is supplied to the combustion chamber. The burner is equipped with nozzles, thanks to which the burning gas is distributed throughout the burner, ensuring uniform heating of the coolant. Burners, depending on the model and type of boiler, are produced in several varieties and are classified according to two parameters: functionality and purpose.

According to the functionality of the burner are divided into the following types:

diffusion devices - providing a mixture of natural gas and oxygen already in the combustion process;
injection burners - enriching the gas with oxygen even before it enters the combustion chamber;
atmospheric burners - operating on the principle of injection devices (the degree of gas saturation with oxygen is less intense);
regenerative burners - heating of the gas before it is fed into the combustion chamber is carried out through the operation of the regenerator;
burners with a supercharger - the work of supplying fuel to the combustion chamber is performed by a fan;
burners with preliminary full and partial mixing.

Note: the last type of burners for heating gas boilers works on the principle of a gas cutter, where butane is used instead of natural gas. Oxygen is mixed with gas directly at the outlet of the nozzle, creating the required intensity of combustion of the fuel mass.

In addition to the classification of gas burners by functionality, there is a division according to their purpose:

household;
industrial.

Household gas boilers with low power are equipped with atmospheric type burners, since in most cases ease of use of the heating unit and long-term operation are required.

Industrial models with high power, the operation of which is carried out in modes of increased complexity, are equipped with injection burners.

Burners using air blowers are rarely installed in gas boilers.

Varieties of combustion chambers

In addition to separating gas boilers according to the type of heat exchanger and the type of gas burner, there is a classification of heating equipment according to the arrangement of the combustion chamber (combustion chamber).

Boilers can be:

with an open firebox;
with closed combustion chamber.

In the first case, for the normal operation of the boiler, a prerequisite is the presence of a chimney. Such boilers are usually installed in private houses, where the layout of the building allows you to make a chimney of the desired length and appropriate diameter.

Important! The chimney must meet the requirements of the design documentation for the heating system, i.e. match the power of the boiler and the architecture of the building. The intensity of the thrust required for burning fuel in the combustion chamber and ensuring the safety of the operation of heating equipment depends on the diameter and length of the pipe.

Closed-fired boilers are used to heat small apartments. Such models do not require a separate chimney device for their installation. The output of combustion products is carried out through an opening in the wall panel of the house, into which a coaxial chimney is output, which also serves to supply air. As a backup device for safety purposes, the room is additionally equipped with a forced exhaust (exhaust fan).

Boilers with a closed furnace have a significant advantage over open combustion chambers. Air is injected into the furnace not only before the boiler is turned on, but also continues to flow into the combustion chamber after it is turned off. As a result, all residual combustion products are removed from the furnace, including gas accumulated in the furnace as a result of an emergency leak.

Boilers with forced ventilation have the best performance. The ignition of the boiler is faster, and the fuel mass is almost completely burned out. The efficiency of such boilers, in comparison with traditional models, is much higher, which gives significant gas savings.

Features of household gas boilers

Having dealt with the various types of boilers and their internal structure, we will consider another type of classification - according to the method of heating the coolant. We will talk about single-circuit and double-circuit heating boilers.

A single-circuit boiler is used only for the installation of a home heating system in residential buildings of a small area. The increase in the functionality of the unit in this case is limited by the technological capabilities of a single-pipe heating system. The boiler does not have special hydraulic devices and devices that can provide hot water in the house. In comparison with double-circuit boilers, such units are much cheaper.

On a note: To provide housing with a hot water supply system, single-circuit boilers are supplemented with another water heater - an indirect heating boiler (hot water electric titanium), which is installed next to the boiler. The volume of the boiler capacity is selected depending on the number of hot water intake points (50-500-800 liters) and is determined by the power of its heating element

Double-circuit boilers look preferable in all respects. Such units have more power and are used for heating interiors and providing a residential facility with hot water at the same time. The design of double-circuit boilers is equipped with both units for heating housing and units for the hot water supply system - capacitive or instantaneous water heaters.

The double-circuit boiler is easily and quickly put into action, the intensity of heating of the coolant corresponds to the specified parameters, and the heating of heating radiators in all rooms occurs evenly.

The only disadvantage of both the first and second types of wall-mounted double-circuit boilers is the low power of the water heating system - such devices have a hot water tank with a volume of only 50-100 liters, while floor models - 150-200 liters.

conclusions

All models of household gas boilers that exist today are able to satisfy the necessary minimum needs of residents. The choice of the type of boiler should be tied primarily to the needs and operating conditions, so you should not purchase an overly powerful unit - a large power reserve will remain unclaimed. However, a low-power home boiler that does not meet the requirements is a waste of money.

At the same time, the price of the unit is not the last criterion in importance. Buying cheap equipment is fraught with frequent failures and will ultimately result in high costs for a low-quality boiler, so you should choose a device in the middle price range, the functionality and quality of products in which often differs from top models only by the absence of one or two rarely used options.

Special tanks are designed for storage and transportation of liquid fuels and liquefied gases. A tank for liquids (kerosene, gasoline) is called a fuel tank. The tank for gas - a gas cylinder.

Cylinders are sold empty and are metal (less often plastic) flasks with a cork. Since static electricity accumulates on the plastic from the friction of the liquid against the walls of the tank, metal is preferable as a material for making tanks.

The device of gas cylinders

gas cylinder- a cylindrical container filled with gas under pressure (up to 15 MPa). In its upper part there is a threaded hole into which a shut-off valve is screwed.

Each filler requires a special valve design, so it is important to match the type of container with the filler fuel.

High demands are placed on the tightness and reliability of containers.

The package of the metal gas tank includes:

valve;
a body consisting of a welded shell, upper and lower bottom;
support shoe - a steel ring support, to maintain stability in a vertical position;
safety cap - a plastic or metal element to protect the valve during transportation and operation;
neck ring - a metal part with a thread on which the cap is screwed;
sometimes a reducer is a device for equalizing the pressure level.

The standard valve consists of:

corps;
locking element;
flywheel.

The valve body is made of steel and has the shape of a tee.

There are threads on all three parts of the valve. The lower part is intended for attaching the valve to the cylinder, the upper for attaching the valve stem, and the side for the plug.

The locking element consists of a stem and a bypass valve. The valve regulates the flow of gas through the body, the stem transmits torque from the handwheel to the valve.

The flywheel is connected to the stem with a nut. When the handwheel is turned, the valve opens or closes the flow.

The device of the cylinder repeats the design of a gas lighter. Inside there is a substance in two phases: liquid and gaseous. The empty space above the surface of the liquefied substance is filled with it, but already in the form of gas, which enters the proper equipment.

Types of gas cylinders

Body material classification

Metal gas cylinders

A metal cylinder is the simplest and most economical solution to the problem of gas storage. Its body is made of low carbon or alloy steel. Metal containers are available with a volume of 5, 10, 12, 20, 27, 40 or 50 liters.

Fifty-liter tanks are stored only outdoors in a special metal cabinet with the appropriate marking. Smaller containers may be installed indoors.

The net weight of an empty metal cylinder, depending on the volume, is 4-22 kg.

Composite (polymer) gas cylinders

If there is no need to store a large volume of gas, then it is more reasonable to choose a composite cylinder.

Its main advantage compared to metal is its lighter weight.

The difference in this indicator is up to 70%, which makes it possible to conveniently use the container with a polymer body for lovers of sports tourism, hunting and fishing.

Additional advantages of composite cylinders compared to metal ones:

increased impact resistance and explosion safety (even when exposed to an open flame);
design that excludes the leakage of the filler;
the appearance of rust on the surface of the device is completely excluded;
the formation of sparks is excluded;
modern attractive appearance.

A composite (polymer) cylinder is a transparent flask filled with liquefied gas and placed in a replaceable plastic casing.

Fiberglass and epoxy resin are used to make the flask.

Boron is not added to the fiberglass used for the manufacture of polymer containers, which is important for people who pay great attention to the environmental safety of the product. During operation, the color of the flask may change, but this is not a defect.

Increased safety of operation of polymer containers is ensured by:

overpressure check valve;
fusible (consumable) insert.

Under the influence of temperature increase, the gas expands, as a result of which its excess appears, which creates excess pressure on the walls of the cylinder.

The check valve bleeds (releases) these excesses in equal portions, lowering the pressure.

When exposed to a particularly high temperature (for example, in a fire), the fusible link melts and releases gas, but the process is controlled. The fusible link works irreversibly, after its operation, the container will have to be disposed of.

Stable operation of the composite cylinder is possible at an ambient temperature of -40 to + 60 degrees Celsius. Net weight - up to 8 kg.

Gas cartridges

For portable gas burners, lamps, stoves, etc., compact disposable cartridges are produced with a volume of 100 to 450 g. They look like aerosol sprays.

Case material - steel, covered with tin. When buying, you need to pay attention to the temperature range suitable for a particular cartridge model. Some types of portable models do not work at temperatures below -4 degrees Celsius. This indicator depends on the composition of the mixture.

Manufacturers fill cartridges with summer, winter and all-season mixtures.

Another parameter is the connection type. It must match the type of connection on the gas appliance, otherwise an adapter will be needed or the operation of the cartridge will simply be impossible.

Classification by purpose

According to the place of installation and purpose, gas cylinders are conventionally divided into:

household - for stoves, boilers and heating appliances;
tourist - for burners, grills, barbecues, lighting and blowtorches, heaters that you can take with you on a hike or fishing;
automobile - for use in a car with an engine running on gas fuel;
medical - for the storage of respiratory mixtures in ambulances, rescuers and firefighters, as well as in intensive care units and for oxygen cocktails;
industrial - for the storage of gases used in metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, the chemical industry, etc.;
universal.

In addition to the listed areas of use of gas storage tanks, there are many more industries in which they are needed.

Classification by composition of the mixture

The gas tank by the name of the filler can be:

propane;
butane;
acetylenic;
hydrogen;
nitric;
argon;
carbon dioxide;
helium;
with compressed air;
oxygen, etc.

Propane, butane and their mixtures are most often used for domestic purposes and in tourist cylinders.

Their technical name is LPG (liquefied hydrocarbon gases).

The appropriate temperature regime depends on the composition of the gas mixture. Under normal climatic conditions, the difference is small. The parameter is important in cases where you need a cylinder to work in winter conditions, in high mountains or for specific purposes (for example, for a blowtorch).

At low temperatures, a mixture of propane and isobutane (an isomer of butane) performs best. This mixture does not damage the ozone layer.

Inhalation of propane or butane is dangerous to humans, even fatal. Direct contact of the human body with liquid butane or a jet of this gas causes cooling to minus twenty degrees Celsius.

In the food industry, these substances are used as food additives, and in the cosmetic industry in deodorants.

Propane used in the manufacture of solvents.

Butane used in lighters, as a coolant in and. Compared to the usual freon, it is less productive, but wins in terms of environmental safety.

Acetylene used for welding and cutting metals, in rocket engines, in the chemical industry to produce explosives, rubber, plastics, acetic acid, etc. The substance is explosive when in contact with open air, so activated carbon or kieselguhr (special porous mass) is added to it.

Hydrogen used in the chemical (in the production of ammonia), food industry (for the production of margarine, vegetable oils), in welding, as rocket fuel.

Nitrogen used in the chemical, oil and gas, metallurgical, pharmaceutical, electronic industries.

Its specific use is purging and cleaning of containers, pipes, as well as deep freezing and fire fighting.

Argon used in incandescent, fluorescent lamps, in the metallurgical and metalworking industries in the production of many metals, in processes where it is necessary to exclude contact of the molten mass with oxygen (including during fires), in welding, for medical purposes for anesthesia and air purification, in food industry as packaging gas.

Carbon dioxide fills fire extinguishers, they pump up the wheels. It is used in trade as a refrigerant and in the food industry in the production of carbonated drinks.

Helium necessary for welding, cutting, melting metals, for filling balloons, balloons, breathing mixtures for, as a refrigerant in scientific research. Liquefied helium is the coldest liquid on the planet. Its transportation and storage must be carried out strictly in an upright position.

Compressed air It is used in many industries, but primarily for the operation of pneumatic devices and for the production of inert gases (helium, etc.).

Oxygen it is used for enrichment of reservoirs with this substance, in the production of acids and explosives, to obtain "oxygen cocktails".

Ammonia- poisonous gas, the strongest solvent, therefore, it needs increased attention to the safety of its transportation and storage.

It is used in the production of nitric acid, fertilizers, explosives and in medicine in the form of a 10% solution with a household name - ammonia.

Chlorine- another toxic substance that is used in the production of polyvinyl chloride and artificial rubber, in everyday life for bleaching fabrics, in medicine for disinfection.

Methane- LNG (liquefied natural gas), safe for humans. It is used for the production of ammonia, fertilizers, in fire extinguishers, in medicine as a sleeping pill, as a fuel.

Freons or freons - are used in air conditioners, and aerosols, as well as in the production of foam and polyurethane foam.

Classification by connection method

When buying a gas cylinder, you need to find out the type of connection of a particular container model and its compatibility with a specific device.

Connection can be:

Collet (push or clamp). The connection takes place with the help of a collet, which is a cylindrical piece that acts as a clamp for the connected pipe. To connect a cylinder with a push-in connection and equipment with a threaded connection, you will need a special adapter.
Threaded (Epi-gas). The connection is made by connecting two threaded parts. It is not reliable enough for use in gas equipment, it requires sealing gaskets.
Valved (Easy Click). Such a connection is much simpler and more reliable than a threaded one, but is used only in some models, mainly in Europe. Its main advantage is the greatest degree of protection against leakage.
The disadvantage is that such containers are sold together with burners and it is very difficult to pick up the same one after the filler has run out.
Puncture. This is a type of connection that involves piercing the cylinder shell. The disadvantage of this method is the inability to disconnect the container from the device until the gas is completely used. This type is used mainly for connecting small cartridges for tourist lamps, burners, stoves.

Which is better

The most preferred in everyday life are composite (polymer) containers. Advantages in terms of reliability, compactness and other indicators make them obvious leaders in comparison with metal counterparts.

The disadvantage of the polymer tank is only a smaller maximum volume.

If for a metal cylinder this figure is 50 liters, then for a composite one it is 33.5 liters.

That is, it is advisable to purchase a metal tank only if a large gas consumption is foreseen, since there will be less need for refueling.

The volume, connection method and other parameters must be selected individually, in accordance with the needs of the buyer.

If you need a supply of fuel for portable, including tourist, gas equipment, then you need to choose a product among compact disposable cartridges with the appropriate type of connection.

The choice also depends on the temperature at which the gas equipment will be used. The type of mixture is indicated on the container - winter, summer or all-weather.

Operation of gas cylinders

To determine what substance the cylinder is filled with, it is customary to paint its body in the color assigned to this gas. The oxygen tank is painted blue, the propane tank is painted red, the hydrogen tank is painted dark green, etc. The color of the composite tank body does not matter.

A container with a volume of 50 liters can only be stored outdoors in a special metal cabinet with ventilation holes, in an upright position.

The cabinet is installed on a fireproof base that excludes subsidence, and must be attached to the wall or base of the neighboring building at a distance of at least 50 cm from the windows and doors of the first floor and 3 m from the windows and doors of the basement, as well as cesspools and wells. The base is mounted at a height of 15-20 cm from the ground.

Cylinders with a volume of up to 40 liters are installed in a room not intended for sleeping, away from electrical wires, at a distance of at least 50 cm from, 1 meter from a heater and 5 meters from an open flame.

Do not install or store fuel tanks in the attic or basement.

The room must be free of flammable and combustible substances. Tanks with a volume of up to 40 liters can also be placed outdoors in compliance with the same requirements as for the storage of a fifty-liter cylinder.

Oxygen tanks may be installed at an angle so that the valve is located above the shoe. The rest of the models must be installed vertically.

It is necessary to connect the cylinder to the devices through a reducer, which is designed to equalize the pressure to the level necessary for the operation of a gas stove or other device.

The use of gas storage tanks by persons under the age of 14 is prohibited. Persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs are also not allowed to use.

Before you start using the cylinder, you must carefully study the instructions and the rules for the safe operation of the equipment.

Equipment must not be left unattended.
It is forbidden to use the tank if there is a smell of gas or any malfunction of the device and gas communications. Do not use an open flame to detect a leak.
It is forbidden to use gas pipelines for other purposes.
Do not connect a gas container to homemade devices.
It is forbidden to use a cylinder with a lost serial number and bar code (if they have been erased during operation). This condition is important to comply with, since it is necessary to observe the correspondence of the fuel brand to the type of container.
Periodically, the integrity of the valve must be checked, which must be tightly screwed into the corresponding hole.
In winter, a frozen valve can only be heated with hot water.
It is impossible to install containers with other gases in the same room with an oxygen tank.
It is forbidden to use the balloon filler at 100% volume. The required residual pressure is not less than 0.05 MPa, for acetylene containers not less than 0.3 MPa.

Operating procedure:

Before starting work with a gas reservoir or cartridge, you must make sure that the valve and the thread of the side fitting are in good condition, for the cartridge, that the locking device is in good condition.
Check for leakage.
Before connecting the reducer or hose of the gas appliance to the container, the adjusting screw must be loosened.
After connection, a leak test is carried out again. For this, the connection point is covered with soapy foam. If a leak occurs, bubbles will appear.
If a leak is found, it is necessary to evaluate the possibility of self-repair. Sometimes it is enough to tighten the threaded connection or change the gasket. If the leak is not eliminated in this way, the cylinder must be sent for repair.
If the cylinder is in good condition, then slowly turn the handwheel to start the gas supply.
After completion of the use of the cylinder installed in the room, the valves or cocks on it must be transferred to the “closed” position.

Once every five years, the metal gas storage tank must be checked to ensure that all parts are in good working order.

Composite products can be checked once every 10 years. A current check of the condition of the tank must be carried out each time before, during and after filling the tank with fuel.

The marking of a suitable product must contain the following information:

manufacturer's trademark;
date of manufacture;
mark of the quality control department of the manufacturer;
balloon number;
operating pressure;
Net weight;
volume;
date of the last control;
test point mark;
test pressure;
the year of the next inspection.

For cylinders with acetylene, the following must be additionally indicated:

filling date;
stamp of the filling station;
date of inspection of the filler;
a stamp confirming the fact of checking the filler.

After inspection, a decision is made on the suitability of the device for further use. If defects and malfunctions are found, the empty gas tank is sent for repair.

Faults and repairs

Warranty and post-warranty repair of the gas cylinder must be carried out by a qualified specialist.

Attempts to fix problems on your own lead to tragic consequences.

The reasons why the gas tank is recognized as unsuitable for operation during the current check and sent for repair:

malfunction of the valve, pressure gauge (including cracks on the glass that prevent readings);
damage, displacement or absence of the shoe;
wear or malfunction of the thread of the neck ring;
seal failure, leakage;
for metal containers discrepancy or discoloration.

The gas storage tank is subject to disposal and not repair if the following deficiencies are found:

significant external damage: corrosion, dents, bulges, fistulas, cracks, risks, with a depth of more than 10% of the container wall thickness;
lack of passport data, marking in whole or in part (if, according to residual information, it is not possible to restore the marking);
cracks in and around the weld more than 0.2 mm wide and more than 30% of its length.

All other containers after warranty or post-warranty repair are suitable for further use.

Guarantee

Gas cylinders are guaranteed for 1-2 years from the date of sale, depending on the body material. The service life of the tank is up to 30 years.

Conditions for fulfillment by the manufacturer of warranty obligations:

the presence of a passport;
safety of the factory marking and serial number on the device;
strict observance of the instructions for transportation, storage, installation, operation and maintenance of the device, as well as the user manual;
the presence of a warranty card filled out by the seller;
for some manufacturers, a prerequisite is the registration of a guarantee on the official website of the plant;
no traces of an attempt to self-repair or re-glue the marking.

The manufacturer is responsible for fulfilling the warranty obligations.

They include:

testing;
free repair;
replacement with equipment of adequate quality similar in terms of technical characteristics;
financial compensation.

The warranty does not apply to the casing of the composite cylinder, as well as to containers with the following external defects that occurred during transportation and operation by the consumer:

mechanical damage to the cylinder from contact with a sharp object or resulting from a fall, impact - scratches, gouges, dents, deformation, cracks, abrasions that caused a decrease in the thickness of the cylinder wall;
darkening of the color of the valve or the appearance of inclusions on its body.

Gas cylinder manufacturers

The company is a French manufacturer of goods for recreation and tourism. Production is located in China.

One of the directions of its activity is the manufacture of shish kebabs, grills, blowtorches, burners, stoves, portable lighting lamps. All these devices are equipped with gas cylinders-cartridges of our own production.

The long history of the company confirms the high level of quality, reliability and safety of its products. Type of connection - collet, puncture or valve. Guarantee for cartridges - 6 months.

This American company is a partner of Campingaz. creates its products using the experience and knowledge accumulated by lovers of tourism, hunting and fishing from all over the world.

The company's product range includes portable, burners, lamps and cartridges for them. Connection type - threaded. Warranty - 1 year.

A young company producing goods for tourism. The factory is located in China. The credo of the brand is quality for reasonable money. The company's products are certified and fully comply with international standards.

Fire-Maple offers customers 230 and 450 g threaded cartridges. The warranty period for them is 2 years.

The credo of the American company is a completely rethought mobile cooking process.

For its products, Jetboil produces 100, 230 and 450 g gas cartridges with a mixture of propane and isobutane, which is suitable for use in winter.

Kovea

The South Korean company Kovea manufactures gas equipment and related products. The company itself and its products have received numerous awards, which confirms the high level of quality of the products of this brand.

The company's product range includes cylinders with a collet connection with a volume of 220 g and with a threaded connection with a volume of 230 and 450 g. A guarantee for all types of products is 12 months.

MSR

The American brand MSR produces goods for tourism and mountaineering. Production is located in South Korea.

Cylinders of this brand are filled with a mixture of butane and propane in a ratio of 80:20, which showed good results at low temperatures. The built-in float sensor will help determine the remaining gas. Cartridge volume 110, 226 and 450 g.

The Swedish brand for the production of equipment for tourism produces several types of gas cartridges with a threaded connection. Among them there are mixtures for summer, winter and all-weather. The volume of cylinders is 100, 135, 190, 230 and 450 g.

Russian brand of goods for tourism and outdoor activities. All products of this brand are tested in real conditions before they go on sale. The company's product range includes two types of mixtures for gas cylinders: all-weather and winter. The volume of tanks is 220, 230, 336, 450 g. The method of connection is threaded and push collet.

Tramp

The South Korean brand Tramp produces portable gas cylinders with an all-weather mixture with a collet and threaded connection in volumes of 220,230 and 450 g.

The advantages of gas heating for the owner of a private house are obvious. This is the minimum cost of fuel, affordable price of equipment, ease of installation and high energy efficiency.

In addition, a gas boiler eliminates the need for firewood and a labor-intensive furnace. And although the installation of such equipment is a matter for specialists, the choice of a gas boiler for a private house always remains with the owners. Given the variety of proposals for natural gas heating devices, it is not easy to make it.

Therefore, we offer a brief excursion on the topic of the variety and technical characteristics of domestic gas boilers. It will help you make your choice more meaningful and accurate.

Varieties of gas boilers

The first criterion by which the buyer judges this technique is the manufacturer. Imported brands tend to be more expensive than domestic models. At the same time, according to a number of indicators - reliability, maintainability, service life and efficiency, they surpass the products of less well-known companies.

Well-known brands actively compete with each other, trying to attract the attention of the buyer with modern design, compactness and reliability. Here, as in other categories of household equipment, the main indicator, other things being equal, is the price.

Turning to the technical area, we note that all household gas boilers are divided according to the type of installation into wall and floor. The main difference here is the weight.

You can’t hang a heavy floor boiler on the wall, and it makes no sense to put a light unit on the floor, taking up extra space. The large weight of the outdoor equipment (from 150 to 200 kg) indicates not only high power, but also durability.

Wall-mounted heating equipment (weight from 20 to 30 kg) is not more powerful than 45 kW, while the thermal performance of floor-standing boilers is measured in hundreds of kilowatts.

The heating area is another important characteristic of a gas boiler, which manufacturers specifically indicate for buyers. Power is a term for specialists. In everyday language, the heating area sounds much clearer. Knowing the geometric parameters of the premises of your home, you can easily choose the right unit.

The following basic technical characteristics of a gas boiler are the number of circuits and the type of burner.

Circuit - a vicious circle (heat exchanger-pipes-radiators), or an open line (water supply-heat exchanger-mixer), through which water moves. A single-circuit boiler is simpler in design and cheaper, but at the same time it is not able to provide hot water for domestic needs.

Double-circuit, on the contrary, is universal. It not only heats batteries, but also heats water for the bathroom and kitchen. It is abbreviated as AOGV (heating unit + hot water supply).

Having decided to buy a single-circuit boiler, do not forget about an additional heat source (electric boiler or gas water heater) that will provide your home with hot water. If you make a choice in favor of versatility, then double-circuit heating technology will fully meet your expectations.

The type of burner is an important parameter, which determines the method of flue gas removal and the efficiency of the installation.

Atmospheric burners appeared first. They are simple in design, silent and reliable in operation.

It will not be able to work with an atmospheric unit without a high chimney. Inside it should be a pipe made of acid-resistant stainless steel.

For a city apartment of a new layout, the lack of a chimney is a serious problem. Combustion products must not be discharged into the ventilation ducts. Therefore, a new type of burner was introduced into the design of the boiler - pressurized and called it turbocharged.

The presence of a pressurized burner is indicated by the name of the combustion chamber. For atmospheric burners, it is open, and for inflatable burners, it is closed. Why? We explain. In a turbocharged boiler, air is supplied and flue gases are removed according to the “pipe in pipe” system. Flue gases are discharged through the inner channel of a smaller diameter, and clean air is sucked in by the external fan. Such a scheme requires a closed design of the combustion chamber.

Solving the eternal question of the developer, which gas boiler is better, we can say that a turbocharged installation is more economical in gas consumption and does not know problems with traction. It does not require the construction of a chimney and the installation of powerful forced ventilation of the furnace room. The disadvantage of all turbo boilers is the freezing of the outer outlet of the coaxial pipe, where warm, humid and cold air meet.

Taking into account the characteristics that we have told you about, do not forget to ask about the material from which the heat exchanger is made. There are two options for floor standing boilers: cast iron or steel. The former is more resistant to corrosion and (according to the brochures) more durable.

Note that the durability of cast iron is a very relative concept. It will last you 25-30 years only if treated water (purified from salts) is used and the four-way mixing valve is working properly. It is introduced into the system to protect brittle cast iron from the temperature difference between the heating zone and the entry point of the cooled water from the return line.

Given these risks and add to them the high cost of boilers with cast-iron heat exchangers, then the option with a steel combustion chamber should be considered. Steel is a strong yet ductile material. She is not afraid of sudden changes in temperature in the combustion chamber. Provided reliable protection against corrosion or the use of stainless steel, such a heat exchanger will serve you for a very long time.

Copper heat exchanger is good in every way. It is lighter than steel and cast iron, has high heat capacity, ductility and corrosion resistance. Therefore, it can be recognized as the best option for a wall-mounted boiler.

Summarizing our review, we will briefly repeat how to choose the right gas boiler for your home:

Heating area, m2 or power;
Floor or wall;
Number of circuits (1 or 2);
Type of combustion chamber (atmospheric or closed);
heat exchanger material.

Manufacturers, reviews, estimated prices

The task of the seller is to sell the boiler. Therefore, do not expect that you will objectively point out the shortcomings of each model. Read user reviews carefully before buying. They clearly reveal the weaknesses of the design.

A well-known brand is a strong argument in favor of choosing. It is a concentrated expression of production experience, level of technology, quality of materials and workmanship.

When choosing an economical gas boiler for home heating, pay attention to such popular German brands as Vaillant (Wailant) and Bosch (Bosch).

They are reliable and consume a minimum amount of gas. Feedback on their work is mostly positive. The minimum price of a wall-mounted 2-circuit boiler Vaillant (atmospheric) with a capacity of 24 kW (heating area up to 240 m2) starts from 35 thousand rubles. A Bosch boiler with similar characteristics is much cheaper (from 23 thousand rubles). The estimated price of atmospheric units of these companies (floor-mounted version, heating area up to 320 m2) starts from 60 thousand rubles.

Italian brands Baxi (baxi), Ariston (Ariston), Ferroli (Ferroli), Korean Navien (Navien), with a sufficiently high quality of equipment, are affordable for most homeowners. In customer reviews, you will find more positive ratings than outright negative.

Prices for wall-mounted atmospheric models (24 kW) start here at 25,000 rubles. Floor installations of these companies (heated area up to 300 m2) cost customers in the amount of 50 thousand rubles.

The heating equipment of the domestic company Lemax and the Slovak Protherm (Proterm) have proven themselves well. Floor-standing Proterm models with an atmospheric burner (power 35 kW) can be purchased for 40 thousand rubles, and wall-mounted 24-kilowatt double-circuit boilers for 25-26 thousand rubles.

Lemax outdoor atmospheric units with a capacity of 35 kW (single-circuit) can be bought for 34,000 rubles. For a wall-mounted atmospheric double-circuit unit of this company (heating area 250 m2), sellers ask from 19,000 rubles.

Unlike other brands, Lemax also works in the category of low-power floor standing single-circuit boilers (from 7.5 to 16 kW), offering them at prices ranging from 12 to 16 thousand rubles.

Liquid and gaseous. Almost any liquid can acquire each of the remaining two. Many solids, when melted, evaporated, or burned, can replenish the contents of the air. But not every gas can become a component of solid materials or liquids. Different types of gases are known, which differ from each other in properties, origin and application features.

Definition and properties

A gas is a substance that is characterized by the absence or minimum value of intermolecular bonds, as well as the active mobility of particles. The main properties that all types of gases have:

Fluidity, deformability, volatility, striving for maximum volume, the reaction of atoms and molecules to a decrease or increase in temperature, which is manifested by a change in the intensity of their movement.
They exist at a temperature at which an increase in pressure does not lead to a transition to a liquid state.
Easily compressed, decreasing in volume. This simplifies transport and use.
Most are liquefied by compression within certain limits of pressure and critical heat values.

Due to the research inaccessibility, they are described using the following basic parameters: temperature, pressure, volume, molar mass.

Field classification

In the natural environment, all types of gases are found in air, land and water.

Air components: oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, nitric oxide with admixtures of neon, krypton, hydrogen, methane.
In the earth's crust, nitrogen, hydrogen, methane and other hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, sulfur oxide and others are in a gaseous and liquid state. There are also gas deposits in the solid fraction mixed with water layers at pressures of about 250 atm. at relatively low temperatures (up to 20˚С).
Reservoirs contain soluble gases - hydrogen chloride, ammonia and poorly soluble gases - oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, etc.

Natural reserves far exceed the possible number of artificially created ones.

Flammability classification

All types of gases, depending on the behavioral characteristics in the processes of ignition and combustion, are divided into oxidizers, inert and combustible.

Oxidizing agents promote combustion and support combustion, but do not burn themselves: air, oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, nitrogen oxide and dioxide.
Inert ones do not participate in combustion, however, they tend to displace oxygen and influence the decrease in the intensity of the process: helium, neon, xenon, nitrogen, argon,
Combustibles ignite or explode when combined with oxygen: methane, ammonia, hydrogen, acetylene, propane, butane, ethane, ethylene. Most of them are characterized by combustion only under conditions of a certain composition of the gas mixture. Due to this property, gas is the type of fuel, by far the most common. In this capacity, methane, propane, butane are used.

Carbon dioxide and its role

It is one of the most common gases in the atmosphere (0.04%). At normal temperature and atmospheric pressure, it has a density of 1.98 kg / m 3. May be in solid or liquid state. The solid phase occurs at negative heat and constant atmospheric pressure, it is called "dry ice". The liquid phase of CO 2 is possible with increasing pressure. This property is used for storage, transportation and technological applications. Sublimation (transition to a gaseous state from a solid, without an intermediate liquid phase) is possible at -77 - -79˚С. Solubility in water in the ratio 1:1 is realized at t=14-16˚С.

Types of carbon dioxide are distinguished depending on the origin:

Waste products of plants and animals, emissions from volcanoes, gas emissions from the bowels of the earth, evaporation from the surface of water bodies.
The results of human activities, including emissions from the combustion of all types of fuel.

As a useful substance, it is used:

in carbon dioxide fire extinguishers.
In cylinders for arc welding in a suitable CO 2 environment.
In the food industry as a preservative and for carbonation of water.
As a refrigerant for temporary cooling.
in the chemical industry.
in metallurgy.

Being an indispensable component of the life of the planet, man, the operation of machines and entire factories, it accumulates in the lower and upper layers of the atmosphere, delaying the release of heat and creating a "greenhouse effect".

and his role

Among the substances of natural origin and technological purposes, there are those that have a high degree of flammability and calorific value. The following types of liquefied gas are used for storage, transportation and use: methane, propane, butane, as well as propane-butane mixtures.

Butane (C 4 H 10) and propane are components of petroleum gases. The first one liquefies at -1 - -0.5˚С. Transportation and use in frosty weather of pure butane is not carried out due to its freezing. Liquefaction temperature for propane (C 3 H 8) -41 - -42˚C, critical pressure - 4.27 MPa.

Methane (CH 4) - the main component. Types of gas source - oil deposits, products of biogenic processes. Liquefaction occurs through gradual compression and heat reduction to -160 - -161˚С. At each stage, it is compressed 5-10 times.

Liquefaction is carried out in special plants. Propane, butane, as well as their mixture for domestic and industrial use are produced separately. Methane is used in industry and as a fuel for transport. The latter can also be issued in compressed form.

Compressed gas and its role

Recently, compressed natural gas has gained popularity. If only liquefaction is used for propane and butane, then methane can be produced both in a liquefied and in a compressed state. Gas in cylinders under high pressure of 20 MPa has a number of advantages over the well-known liquefied one.

High evaporation rate, including at negative air temperatures, absence of negative accumulation phenomena.
Lower level of toxicity.
Complete combustion, high efficiency, no negative impact on equipment and atmosphere.

Increasingly, it is used not only for trucks, but also for cars, as well as for boiler equipment.

Gas is an inconspicuous, but indispensable substance for human life. The high calorific value of some of them justifies the widespread use of various components of natural gas as a fuel for industry and transport.

There are conditions without which the daily life of a person will not be considered fully comfortable.

First of all, these are various life systems, which include heating and a source of hot water in the premises.

The first structures that made it possible to effectively heat the internal spaces of buildings appeared in the days of the Ancient Roman Empire.

Initially, solid fuels (wood, coal, and so on) were used for this process, but the development of civilization led to the possibility of using electricity, liquid fuels, solar energy, natural gas for such purposes.

The history of the development of gas boilers

The first serial production of gas equipment for heating water was established at the beginning of the 20th century in Germany.

The manufacturer was the Junkers company, which also applied innovative technology at that time in its product - an automatic control unit for the entire system.

The first domestic serial gas boiler appeared only in 1947. The model was produced under the name "Conord".

In world practice, the development of heating and water heating equipment depended on the availability of certain resources.

For example, in the USSR, mainly gas-fired boilers were produced, since the fuel for them was and remains very affordable.

In Europe, models powered by electricity were more appreciated.

Products that run on diesel fuel and, more recently, solar energy have sold well in the US.

Varieties and types of gas boilers

Gas equipment is divided according to its functionality and installation location. In the first case, the boilers can be divided:

For single circuit.

For double circuits.

In the second:

For wall mounting type.

For outdoor use.

Each of these types has its own characteristics, which should be considered when choosing the right model.

Single-circuit gas boilers

The main feature of this option is that its purpose is only to work in the space heating system. If the owner of the model wants to use the installed equipment also as a source of hot water in the house, then he will have to make additional financial expenses - he will need to buy a special boiler that can be connected to this gas boiler.

Double-circuit gas boilers

Such equipment, in addition to being used in the heating system, is additionally a source of hot water. Naturally, a double-circuit boiler is more expensive than a single-circuit version, but is almost always cheaper than a tandem consisting of a boiler and a single-circuit model.

However, it is worth noting a number of disadvantages of a double-circuit boiler:

The greater the number of hot water consumers, the less efficient such equipment (it is recommended to count on a maximum of three people who consume the heated liquid from the boiler). Therefore, in other situations, the installation of a boiler or other water heating equipment will still be required, which will lead to additional financial waste.

The farther away the point of water consumption is, the longer it will take to reach an acceptable liquid temperature. Usually, experts do not recommend placing consumer taps at a distance of more than 7 meters of the pipe from the boiler. Exceeding this aisle will lead to a rather long wait, as well as wasted water, which will have to be drained.

Unlike single-circuit boilers, double-circuit boilers make it possible to connect several models of equipment to one complete system at once, which is sometimes very convenient and effective.

Wall mounted gas boilers

The main advantages of this option:

Relative ease of installation work.

Compact dimensions, which saves on free space when installing a wall-mounted boiler.

The main disadvantage is the lower power, and hence the performance of this option, compared to outdoor equipment. Therefore, such a boiler will become effective in ordinary apartments or in small private houses, while in more serious cases this type will not work.

The wall-mounted option for placing equipment imposes certain requirements on its weight. Therefore, such equipment is made of lightweight materials that are not always able to withstand long-term operation. This is another drawback of wall-mounted boilers - preventive maintenance and maintenance will need to be performed more often than similar processes with a floor model.

Floor standing gas boilers

The floor version of gas boiler equipment is considered more reliable and durable. One of the most important advantages of this type is a higher power, which allows heating quite large private households or several apartments at the same time.

Cons of floor gas boilers:

The increased weight of the equipment, since the main materials used in their creation are steel or cast iron.

Large model sizes. There is a lot of free space for this equipment, since its operation very often requires the installation of additional elements, for example, pumps, taps, a boiler, and so on.

Two main disadvantages contribute to the complexity of the installation process and almost always require a separate room for installing a floor-standing boiler, especially when you consider the fact that such models make a lot of noise during operation.

Differences of boilers of different types

Gas boilers also differ in the type of burner and the method of removal of combustion products.

Burners are:

Atmospheric. Natural air supply required for flame operation. Requires good ventilation in the premises. They are characterized by the presence of an open combustion chamber.

Fan, or as they are also called - turbine. Forced air supply. They are characterized by a closed combustion chamber and the presence of automation. The disadvantages of such systems include an increased noise level and the need to connect to the electrical network (for the operation of built-in fans).

Diffusion-kinetic. Something in between the first two types, when air is supplied to the combustion chamber in certain portions. A fairly rare option in household equipment - usually used in industrial settings.

Combined. Allows you to use several types of fuel (gas, wood or oil) without changing the burner. The versatility of the system has led to a number of disadvantages: lower efficiency, high cost, design complexity, which increases the time and cost of preventive and repair work.

According to the type of removal of combustion products, gas boilers are divided into:

On a natural draft model. The combustion products of gas boilers are lighter than air, which is why this fact is used in natural draft equipment. For the operation of such models, it is necessary to have a special chimney with good air extraction. Typically, such boilers are installed in private homes, where you can separately build a riser for exhaust gases.

For equipment with forced exhaust gases. Fans are installed in these models, which forcibly relieve the boilers of combustion products. Requires connection to the electrical network. Typically, such gas boilers are installed in apartments.

Advantages and disadvantages of gas boilers compared to boilers using other fuels

The main advantages of gas boilers:

Fuel (natural gas) is cheaper than using electricity, wood, coal or oil for a similar process.

The efficiency of gas boilers is higher than that of analogues.

Main disadvantages:

Higher installation cost. The owner of the gas boiler will need to collect additional documents and obtain permission from Gaztekhnadzor. Naturally, this requires a waste of time and additional money.

To ensure the safe operation of gas equipment, the installation of additional systems and structures will be required. This is, first of all, the installation of a chimney and a gas alarm.

Requires a gas line in most cases. Equipment operating on bottled gas is not economically viable.

What else you need to know when installing boilers

Gas boilers are considered the most common type of individual heating systems in the private possessions of citizens of our country.

Modern gas boilers are controlled by electronic boards that have many sensors to protect against emergencies.

The boards also control various valves, turbines, control the temperature and auto-ignite the gas.

But they have a drawback - sensitivity to drops and power surges.

Installing a voltage stabilizer or voltage control relay will help protect the board from breakdown and subsequent repair.

The stabilizer maintains the voltage at a constant level, smoothing it, and the control relay turns off the voltage if a jump occurs.