Interested in hearing other's theories on this topic.
Let's assume a charging only status. Have you studied your boiler output and actual flow rates to storage? Could you prove your theory as confirmed?
What aspects to consider when studying the charging process?
Can reaching the target be done at varying speeds? Is slower or faster more efficient? Does beginning storage temps matter? How does boiler protection effect the process? Constant flow or regulated?
I began attempting to squeeze every ounce out of storage possible. The result was a long uphill battle to recharge. As long as 9-1/2 hours for a single recharge. Like starting from a dead stop at the bottom of the California grapevine (5 mile upgrade at 6%) with a fully loaded semi. Now I do not allow storage to go much below 130F at the bottom. Burn times of 3-4 hours. Like doing 45 mph at the beginning of the grapevine.
More shorter length burns as opposed to an all day affair every 2 or 3 days. Collateral damage with this method is some standby loss. Works fine here though as the storage is in the shop.
Was using a setpoint to control circulation but now go with always on until near the end (to stop a cooling flow). I like to get the thermo valve to wide open sooner rather than later. This was not a consideration until placing additional sensors on the storage tanks and seeing the stratification layers. Knowing the btu distribution in your storage will aid in charging strategy.
While using a setpoint for the circ there was quite a bit of oscillation with the circ and the combustion fan. Maybe that is due to the RK controller's slow reaction time. While using always on circ, the oscillation of both are eliminated.
In the end it will always be this many pounds for that many btus, yes?
Let's assume a charging only status. Have you studied your boiler output and actual flow rates to storage? Could you prove your theory as confirmed?
What aspects to consider when studying the charging process?
- Boiler rating btu/hr
- True boiler efficiency
- Circulator flow rate
- Boiler protection influenced flow rate
- Storage btu content (beginning and target)
- Benefits of a buffer (tempering) tank
- Return temps
- How many laps
- Flue temps (part of #2)
- Boiler rating/storage capacity ratio
Can reaching the target be done at varying speeds? Is slower or faster more efficient? Does beginning storage temps matter? How does boiler protection effect the process? Constant flow or regulated?
I began attempting to squeeze every ounce out of storage possible. The result was a long uphill battle to recharge. As long as 9-1/2 hours for a single recharge. Like starting from a dead stop at the bottom of the California grapevine (5 mile upgrade at 6%) with a fully loaded semi. Now I do not allow storage to go much below 130F at the bottom. Burn times of 3-4 hours. Like doing 45 mph at the beginning of the grapevine.
More shorter length burns as opposed to an all day affair every 2 or 3 days. Collateral damage with this method is some standby loss. Works fine here though as the storage is in the shop.
Was using a setpoint to control circulation but now go with always on until near the end (to stop a cooling flow). I like to get the thermo valve to wide open sooner rather than later. This was not a consideration until placing additional sensors on the storage tanks and seeing the stratification layers. Knowing the btu distribution in your storage will aid in charging strategy.
While using a setpoint for the circ there was quite a bit of oscillation with the circ and the combustion fan. Maybe that is due to the RK controller's slow reaction time. While using always on circ, the oscillation of both are eliminated.
In the end it will always be this many pounds for that many btus, yes?
