Heat Controller HTH, HTV Ground-Waterheat Pump Applications, Ground-LoopHeat Pump Applications

Installation, Operation & Maintenance HTV/HTD/HTH SERIES Heat Controller, Inc.

Ground-Loop Heat Pump Applications

Table 2: Antifreeze Percentages by Volume

		Minimum Temperature
Type	for Low Temperature Protection
	10°F	15°F	20°F	25°F
	[-12.2°C]	[-9.4°C]	[-6.7°C]	[-3.9°C]
Methanol	21%	17%	13%	8%
Propylene Glycol	29%	24%	18%	12%
Ethanol*	23%	20%	16%	11%

* Must not be denatured with any petroleum based product

GROUND-WATER HEAT PUMP APPLICATIONS

Open Loop - Ground Water Systems

Typical open loop piping is shown in Figure 13. Shut off valves should be included for ease of servicing. Boiler drains or other valves should be “tee’d” into the lines to allow acid flushing of the heat exchanger. Shut off valves should be positioned to allow flow through the coax via the boiler drains without allowing flow into the piping system. P/T plugs should be used so that pressure drop and temperature can be measured. Piping materials should be limited to copper or PVC SCH80. Note: Due to the pressure and temperature extremes, PVC SCH40 is not recommended.

Water quantity should be plentiful and of good quality. Consult table 3 for water quality guidelines. The unit can be ordered with either a copper or cupro-nickel water heat exchanger. Consult table 3 for recommendations. Copper is recommended for closed loop systems and open loop ground water systems that are not high in mineral content or corrosiveness. In conditions anticipating heavy scale formation or in brackish water, a cupro- nickel heat exchanger is recommended. In ground water situations where scaling could be heavy or where biological growth such

as iron bacteria will be present, an open loop system is not recommended. Heat exchanger coils may over time lose heat exchange capabilities due to build up of mineral deposits. Heat exchangers must only be serviced by a qualified technician, as acid and special pumping equipment is required. Desuperheater coils can likewise become scaled and possibly plugged. In areas with extremely hard water, the owner should be informed that the heat exchanger may require occasional acid flushing. In some cases, the desuperheater option should not be recommended due to hard water conditions and additional maintenance required.

Water Quality Standards

Table 3 should be consulted for water quality requirements. Scaling potential should be assessed using the pH/Calcium hardness method. If the pH <7.5 and the Calcium hardness is less than 100 ppm, scaling potential is low. If this method yields numbers out of range of those listed, the Ryznar Stability and Langelier Saturation indecies should be calculated. Use the appropriate scaling surface temperature for the application, 150°F [66°C] for direct use (well water/open loop) and DHW (desuperheater); 90°F [32°F] for indirect use. A monitoring plan should be implemented in these probable scaling situations. Other water quality issues such as iron fouling, corrosion prevention and erosion and clogging should be referenced in Table 3.

Pressure Tank and Pump

Use a closed, bladder-type pressure tank to minimize mineral formation due to air exposure. The pressure tank should be sized to provide at least one minute continuous run time of the pump using its drawdown capacity rating to prevent pump short cycling. Discharge water from the unit is not contaminated in any manner and can be disposed of in various ways, depending on local building codes (e.g. recharge well, storm sewer, drain field, adjacent stream or pond, etc.). Most local codes forbid the use of sanitary sewer for disposal. Consult your local building and zoning department to assure compliance in your area.

The pump should be sized to handle the home’s domestic water load (typically 5-9 gpm [23-41 l/m]) plus the flow rate required for the heat pump. Pump sizing and expansion tank must be chosen as complimentary items. For example, an expansion tank that is too small can causing premature pump failure due to short cycling. Variable speed pumping applications should be considered for the inherent energy savings and smaller pressure tank requirements.

Water Control Valve

Note the placement of the water control valve in figure 13. Always maintain water pressure in the heat exchanger by placing the water control valve(s) on the discharge line to prevent mineral precipitation during the off-cycle. Pilot operated slow closing valves are recommended to reduce water hammer. If water hammer persists, a mini-expansion tank can be mounted on the piping to help absorb the excess hammer shock. Insure that the total ‘VA’ draw of the valve can be supplied by the unit transformer. For instance, a slow closing valve can draw up to 35VA. This

can overload smaller 40 or 50 VA transformers depending on the other controls in the circuit. A typical pilot operated solenoid valve draws approximately 15VA (see Figure 22). Note the special wiring diagrams for slow closing valves (Figures 23 & 24).

Flow Regulation

Flow regulation can be accomplished by two methods. One method of flow regulation involves simply adjusting the ball valve or water control valve on the discharge line. Measure the pressure drop through the unit heat exchanger, and determine flow rate from tables 9a through 9c. Since the pressure is constantly varying, two pressure gauges may be needed. Adjust the valve until the desired flow of 1.5 to 2 gpm per ton [2.0 to 2.6 l/m per kW] is achieved.

A second method of flow control requires a flow control device

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