GB2162164A

GB2162164A - Water treatment method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2162164A
Application number: GB08517853A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Trevor Honeyman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-07-20
Filing date: 1985-07-15
Publication date: 1986-01-29
Also published as: GB2162164B; GB8418628D0; GB8517853D0

Abstract

Treatment medium is injected into a radiator of a central heating system by removing the air bleed screw from the radiator and injecting the treatment medium by a pumping apparatus including an injection nozzle which fits into the orifice in the radiator which normally receives the air bleed screw. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Water treatment method and apparatus This invention relates to a water treatment method and apparatus, and in particular concerns a method for the injection of treatment liquid into a recirculating liquid system typically of pressure of 50 p.s.i. or less. Such systems are known and include marine systems and central heating systems.

In the latter case the injection may be into the radiator of a small bore heating system such as is used for the heating of the interiors of houses, offices and other buildings. Although reference is made mainly hereinafter to central heating systems, the invention is not to be considered as limited thereto.

The radiators of such heating systems have hot water circulated therethrough and are provided on the top corners thereof with air bleed screws by which air which collects in the radiators can be bled off, to ensure the efficient functioning of the radiator. The radiator is fed with hot water from the supply through one lower corner, and after the water is circulated through the radiator, it is discharged therefrom out of the other lower corner.

Each of the inlet and discharge pipes is provided with a control valve which can be opened and closed.

Such heating systems are closed systems in that the same liquid, usually water, is circulated around the system and is repeatedly heated by a heating store such as a boiler and the heat is given up by radiation from the radiators.

Because the system is closed, because air can permeate the system, and because metal surfaces are involved on the inside of the radiators, the circulating liquid becomes contaminated due to internal rusting, scaling fouling and the like, and it is desirable therefore that the liquid should from time to time be treated in order to neutralise the contamination, and present blockage of the various flow passages and valves, and also to prevent and inhibit rusting, scaling fouling and contamination and the like.

The present invention is concerned with a method of introducing a treatment liquid into the liquid of such systems, and also an apparatus for carrying out the method.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, liquid treatment medium is injected into a radiator of a heating system through the air bleed screw connection by pumping the treatment liquid through the air bleed screw connection after removing the air bleed screw and coupling a suitable injection nipple to the orifice usually receiving the air bleed screw.

The treatment liquid may be injected by means of a hand pump which is used to pressurise a vessel containing the treatment liquid, such treatment liquid vessel being closed so as to withstand pressure, except for an outlet pipe leading to the injection nipple.

The treatment liquid is injected into the radiator against the pressure existing therein, it being mentioned that the heating system liquid is circulated by means of a circulating pump, and the system pressure must be overcome in order to achieve the injection of the treatment liquid, if it is injected whilst the pump is operational. If the pump is not operational, then only the head pressure of the system need be overcome.

The invention also provides an apparatus for the injection of treatment liquid into a radiator of a heating system, comprising a vessel containing the treatment liquid, such vessel being sealed or sealable apart from an inlet for a means for pressurising the interior of the vessel, and an outlet or a coupling to an injection nipple which is adapted to be screwed into the radiator connection normally receiving the air bleed screw.

The said pressure vessel may comprise a container with a sealing lid screwed thereto, said lid or container having an inlet for the connection thereto of a pumping means, such as a reciprocating hand pump, and the container or lid having an outlet to which is connected a flexible tube, and at the end of the flexible tube is provided the said nipple.

The lid or container may additionally have a pressure release valve in order to prevent the build up of excess pressure inside the vessel.

The vessel preferably will be adapted to hold at least sufficient treatment liquid to service all of the liquid in the heating system, or it can be re-filled and re-used as necessary.

The pump which is used for pressurizing the vessel may suitably be a hand operated bicycle type air pump.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, of which the single figure shows diagrammatically an apparatus according to the invention, and also indicates a radiator to which the apparatus is coupled for effecting the embodiment of the method of the invention.

Referring to the drawing, a radiator 10 of a heating system is shown, and at the top right hand corner 12 is the outlet containing the radiator bleed screw 14. Reference numeral 16 indicates a radiator key for operating the screw 14 which is normally inserted in the aperture 18. At the lower right hand corner 20 is indicated an outlet pipe 22 of the radiator, and 24 indicates a radiator valve by which the outlet 22 can be opened or closed. The valve 24 comprises either a hand wheel type or a lock shield cap type.

The apparatus for effecting the insertion of the treatment medium liquid is indicated generally by numeral 26, and comprises a vessel 28 the top of which is sealingly closed by means of a cap 30, which can be removed for replenishment of the vessel 28, and the top end of the vessel 28 has a pressure relief valve 32 and a one-way air inlet valve 34. Valve 34 is a needle valve which can be operated to release the pressure in the container 28 as will be explained. The pressure reflief valve 32 and the one-way inlet valve 34 may in the alternative be in the lid 30. A bicycle type hand pump 36 is in use connected to the valve 34.

The vessel has an outlet 38 to which an internal syphon dip tube 40 located internally of the vessel 28 is connected, and at the outer side of the vessel 28 the outlet 38 is connected to a pressure hose 42. At the end of the pressure hose 42 is a connector nipple 44 (preferably of plastics material such as NYLON) which has a self threading portion 46, and preferably contains a non-return valve.

The vessel 28 is suitable for supporting an internal pressure of the order of 60 psi as is the pressure hose 42, but the pressure relief valve 32 may be set to release pressure at 15 psi.

In order to use the apparatus in accordance with the method, it is necessary to insert the treatment liquid into one radiator only of the system, which is preferably a radiator in the highest storey of the building which is being heated, as this is where the minimum system pressure that the injection apparatus has to overcome exists.

When the radiator to be dosed has been selected, the valve on each side of the radiator is closed by any suitable means such as a shifting spanner or by turning the hand wheel if provided.

When the radiator has been thus isolated, the air bleed screw 14 is removed slowly. Next, the connector portion 46 is screwed into the outlet 18, care being taken to ensure that a tight fit is established. The cap 30 on the container 28 is also checked to ensure that it is tightly sealed on the top of the vessel. The one-way valve 34 is now opened, and the pump 36 is connected thereto.

One only of the radiator valves, such as valve 24 is opened and in this condition, if the connector 44 does not embody a non-return valve, water from the radiator will be seen to flow through the tube 42.

After ensuring that there are no leaks at any of the joints, pumping using the pump 36 is effected to inject the treatment liquid in the vessel 28 through the pipe 42 and into the radiator. Pumping is continued until all of the treatment medium has been inserted. The previously opened radiator valve is closed, the pump is removed and the pressure inside the vessel 28 is released by depressing the one way valve needle 34. The connector 44 is removed from outlet 18 and the air vent screws 14 is reinserted, loosely at this time. One of the radiator valves is opened slightly until water begins to leak from the untightened valve 14, whereby any trapped air is removed. Next, the air vent valve 14 is fully tightened.

To establish flow through the radiator both valves thereof are opened to the desired positions.

After the heating system has been operating for the 15 minutes, the treatment medium will be applied throughout the system.

It is appreciated that other forms of apparatus can be used for effecting the method.

Claims

1. A method of injecting liquid treatment medium into a radiator of a heating system through the air bleed screw connection by pumping the treatment liquid through the air bleed screw connection after removing the air bleed screw and coupling a suitable injection nipple to the orifice usually receiving the air bleed screw.

2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the treatment medium is injected by means of a hand pump which is used to pressurise a vessel containing the treatment liquid, such treatment liquid vessel being closed so as to withstand pressure, except for an outlet pipe leading to the injection nipple.

3. A method according to Claim 2, wherein the treatment liquid is injected into the radiator against the pressure existing therein.

4. A method according to any preceding Claim, wherein the radiator is of the type comprising an inlet and an outlet both closable by valves and wherein prior to said injection, the said valves are set closing the inlet and outlet, the air bleed screw is removed, the injection nipple is inserted in the bleed screw orifice, one of the said valves in the inlet and outlet to the radiator is opened, the treatment medium is injected, the said one of the valves is opened, the injection nipple is rernoved, and the air bleed screw reinserted in the air bleed screw orifice.

5. A method of injecting liquid treatment medium into a radiator of a heating system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

6. Apparatus for the injection of treatment liquid into a radiator of a heating system comprising a vessel containing the treatment liquid, such vessel being sealed or sealable apart from an inlet for a means for pressurising the interior of the vessel, and an outlet or a coupling to an injection nipple which is adapted to be screwed into the radiator connection normally receiving the air bleed screw.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein said pressure vessel comprises a container with a sealing lid screwed thereto, said lid or container having an inlet for the connection thereto of a pumping means, such as a reciprocating hond pump, and the container or lid having an outlet to which is connected a flexible tube, and at the end of the flexible tube is provided the said nipple.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 6 or 7, wherein the lid or container has a pressure release valve in order to prevent the build up of excess pressure inside the vessel.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the pump is a bicycle hand pump.

10. Apparatus for injecting treatment medium into a radiator of a heating system, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.