Tank Insulation Pictures

[Pologuy9906]

After looking at the creativity and wherewithal by Bob creating his own panel rad, I thought it would be nice to see what creativity others have taken in order to insulate their setup. It would be nice to know what each person's heat lose per hour. I know some lose 1°/hr. I'm not insulated at this time.

This is the best site ever...................

 

[Pologuy9906]

 

[Eric Johnson]

What's the story on those tanks?

 

[Pologuy9906]

Purchased them as is. They hold 285 gallons each. I believe they are 36.5" diameter and 80+" tall. I have probes in thermowells reading the temps. Helps get accurate readings during the stratification process. I also have a return temp probe assisting in return temp readings.

 

[velvetfoot]

My Froling Energy Tank has a flexible 4" layer of foam on it covered by a flexible plastic shell with a zipper on it. I don't know how one could duplicate that.

 

[Gasifier]

Nice set Pologuy9906! I have one 400 gallon tank and did not insulate it in the very beginning. But boy did that thing radiate off some heat. I spray foamed it later and then insulated most of the copper piping. What an improvement. How long have you been operating your system?

 

[Pologuy9906]

Not long. I only lit 3-4 fires so far. Your right does it ever radiate so much heat. I picked up some insulation pins that stick to the tank. I'm going the R13 and the foil wrap. I don't want to spray them. I picked up the pipe insulation today. I'll do that tonight.

 

[PassionForFire&Water]

It looks like your 3 tanks are connected in series.
In my opinion you would be better of to connect them in parallel.

 

[Pologuy9906]

What makes them better in parallel? Installed per manufacturer specs.

 

[bioman]

What makes them better in parallel? Installed per manufacturer specs.

Equal flow & stratification.

 

[PassionForFire&Water]

Equal flow & stratification.

Dead-on !

 

[PassionForFire&Water]

What makes them better in parallel? Installed per manufacturer specs.

If you are not heating yet with your system, I recommend you change it to a parallel setup as shown in the schematic.
You will be very satisfied you did.

 

[Pologuy9906]

I'll run it by the technical team for my boiler. Wouldn't want to void any warranty. this is my setup in 1.25" copper.

 

[Donl]

I'll run it by the technical team for my boiler. Wouldn't want to void any warranty. this is my setup in 1.25" copper.View attachment 149724

WIth the current setup you are guaranteed even flow through all tanks. I don't see how a series setup inhibits stratification.
I would leave it as is until proven otherwise.

 

[bryankloos]

Pologuy,
What are you using for tanks? How tall are they?
Thanks,
bryan

 

[GS7]

WIth the current setup you are guaranteed even flow through all tanks. I don't see how a series setup inhibits stratification.
I would leave it as is until proven otherwise.

What makes them better in parallel? Installed per manufacturer specs.

PoloGuy, Parallel plumbing has shown benefits for those who've used it, just as series plumbing has. Remember Solar Focus designed your system and once you're up and running as I now am with my Flex Fuel, you'll discover your boiler works in harmony with the manufacturer's design. It works like a sewing machine. Stratification and flow are great. Nothing like real world up and running results.

 

[maple1]

If it's up & running I wouldn't make changes. I would however be monitoring all my temps at high & low points on all the temps & see how they do this winter. Chances are it will be OK. But somewhat on the thread topic - one reason I didn't & wouldn't spray foam my tanks is that it makes servicing & making changes on tanks & piping quite difficult for the future. And ya never know what the future might hold...

 

[velvetfoot]

The Energy Tank has a bolted on rail that pinches sensors onto the tank. The zipped insulation makes it easy to remove and add or adjust sensors.

 

[Pologuy9906]

Pologuy,
What are you using for tanks? How tall are they?
Thanks,
bryan

80+ inches