Aluminum heating radiators - technical specifications + Video

Many of those who have their own home somewhere in or outside the city use aluminum batteries to heat their rooms. After all, aluminum heating radiators technical characteristics are quite suitable for this. Next, we decompose their characteristics and consider why they are so good just for villas and cottages.

What kinds of aluminum radiators are and how they are made

In the process of manufacturing these radiators, special silicon additives are added to the aluminum melt to achieve strength. From the resulting mass produce either individual sections or collectors. Consider the two main methods of manufacturing these heating devices - this is a casting method and an extrusion method.

Casting method

This method assumes that all sections are made separately. They are cast from silumin (so-called aluminum with the addition of silicon). The content of silicon additives does not exceed 12% - this is enough for strength. Casting goes with increased pressure. As a result, you can get sections of the most different forms. They are able to withstand from 6 to 16 atmospheres. To the water freely passed through the radiators, make advanced water channels. And so that the battery was strong, its walls are made quite thick.

Separate sections fasten in one radiator.

Extrusion Method

Extrusion is extrusion (in a more comprehensible language). This method involves the manufacture of individual parts of the radiator. Then they fasten together. However, the extrusion method makes only vertical parts. Making them from aluminum with certain additives. But the collector is poured from silumin alloy. Although sometimes it is also done by extruding, immediately a certain width. Next, press all the details, firmly connecting them. This method is cheap, but a battery made with it cannot be improved during use.

It is impossible to remove a section from such a radiator, as it is to install additional ones.

Anodized Batteries

These are a separate type of instrument made from refined aluminum of very high quality. They undergo anodic oxidation, changing the structure of the metal, due to which it is almost not touched by corrosion. The individual parts are not connected by nipples, as usual, but by couplings mounted from the outside. This gives smoothness to the inside of anodized radiators. Therefore, the heat they have is better than ordinary aluminum batteries. The working pressure maintained by anodized devices is 50 or even 70 atmospheres, but they are quite expensive.

What are the technical characteristics of aluminum radiators

Distance between axes

Standard values ​​are 500, 200 and 350 millimeters. There are plenty of them on the construction market. But there are radiators with a distance between the axles that is different from the standard one. It can vary from 200 to 800 millimeters.

Most often you can find radiators with a distance between the middle of the lower and upper collector of 500 millimeters. Their height makes about 580 millimeters.

When buying a radiator, measure the distance previously under the window sill - after all, it is to be put there. It is impossible that the radiator fits in butt against it - it will not be able to freely circulate warm air, therefore, convection heating will be difficult.

Between the floor and the battery leave a gap of 10 centimeters (you can, however, more). The same gap should remain on top - to the back side of the window sill. Well, from the wall of a centimeter to 3 you need to retreat - then everything will be alright.

See to the width, all sections fit in the space reserved for the radiator. And if it turns out that the heater doesn’t fit well in height or width, it is better to take another one, a little smaller. For example, with a distance between the axes of 350 millimeters, the height of the battery will be 100 millimeters larger. Be sure to consider this nuance when purchasing.

Pressure and its two types

For radiators, it is customary to indicate in the passport both working pressure and pressure testing. And the latter is much higher. And sometimes even the maximum pressure indicate. Amateur at once and do not understand what all these characteristics mean.

But everything is simple: the pressure, called the worker, is the one at which the battery will be used. For aluminum radiators, its standard values ​​are 10–15 atmospheres.

In networks of central heating, pressure usually amounts to 10-15 atmospheres, and in thermal highways and 30 atmospheres it is not uncommon. Therefore, it is not safe to use aluminum radiators for an apartment with central heating.

But for your own home, the pressure at a domestic-made boiler is usually only 1.4 atmospheres. Sometimes it is indicated in bars - these two units are similar.For boilers from Germany, the working pressure is higher - about 10 bar. Here you can use aluminum radiators.

The pressure, called opressovochny, often to know even more important than the working pressure. After the summer (when the water from the batteries was drained), before starting up the heating system, you must first check whether this system is tight. To do this, it is pressured, that is, it is tested at an elevated pressure, which is higher than the working pressure, one and a half times, or even more. So standard pressure of pressure testing reaches 20, 25 or 30 atmospheres. This procedure is typical for central heating networks.

Significant differences in working pressure for private homes and high-rise buildings are explained simply. After all, pressure indicates how far water can reach. So, one atmosphere (otherwise, one bar) pushes the water up to 10 meters. For a house of three floors, this is enough, but for a four-story building - not enough. But public utilities do not always supply water under the stated pressure. Sometimes it is so overwhelming that even the most durable and expensive batteries burst.

So it is best to buy heating appliances with a margin of pressure. They will not only be able to withstand the pressure of hot water in the heating system well, but they will also live a long time. Such a reserve pressure will also serve as a guarantee of additional durability and long-term serviceability of your batteries.

Different manufacturers indicate different pressure units in the data sheet. As mentioned earlier, one bar corresponds to one atmosphere. And if the pressure is indicated in megapascals (MPa), then to convert it into the atmosphere, multiply this value by 10. Thus, 1.2 megapascals correspond to 12 atmospheres.

What you need to know by thermal parameters

One second of the heat given off by aluminum batteries is heat rays. The remaining heat - convection, formed when the air layers move up from the bottom of the radiator. Due to the ribbed surface of the inner side of the sections, heat transfer is quite significant.

Heating of the room with an aluminum radiator occurs in two ways - direct heat radiation and convection.

The heat transfer coefficient is shown in watts. It is given, as a rule, for one section. Take, for example, a battery with a distance between the axes of 500 millimeters. Heat output of its section will be from 100 to 150 watts. Multiply by the number of these sections - this is the general meaning, according to which the main thermal calculations are carried out.

It is necessary to know that high heat emission corresponds to less inertia of radiators. This helps to save finances, so in terms of efficiency, it is aluminum batteries that are leading. They left behind both the classic cast iron and the new-fashioned bimetal. After all, the heat they have is higher, and the inertia is less. It is necessary to heat the water to a lower temperature, respectively, and the boiler wears out more slowly.

A little about design

Aluminum alloy radiators, although not dazzling with luxury and high prices, often embody interesting design solutions. Therefore, they fit perfectly into the various interiors of modern apartments and houses. So people choose not fashionable expensive new items, but aluminum radiators that have passed the test of time. Those and will not fail in difficult times, and the house will be decorated.

Lifetime of aluminum radiators

Usually, manufacturers guarantee that they will last 10 to 20 years for an aluminum battery. Well-known brands are often generous for a quarter of a century. When the stated warranty period passes, you should not immediately carry the batteries in the trash. Just periodically inspect them, carefully looking at the slightest flaws.

The main technical characteristics of aluminum radiators are:

• The distance between the upper and lower manifolds (center) - from 200 to 500 mm;
• pressure (working) - from 6 to 16 atm;
• power (thermal) - from 82 to 212 W;
• mass of one section - from 1 to 1.47 kg;
• capacity of one section - from 250 to 460 ml;
• maximum coolant temperature - 110 degrees;
• warranty - from 10 to 15 years.

Characteristics of popular manufacturers and models of aluminum radiators

The manufacturer FARAL is from Italy

It supplies us with two types of batteries FARAL Green HP and FARAL Trio HP. They have a distance between the axes of 50 and 30 centimeters, and a depth of 9 and 8.5 centimeters. The number of sections in the assembly is from three to sixteen. These sections fasten one to another with steel nipples. For tightness put gaskets.

Before being shipped to the consumer, the plant tests the batteries by applying a pressure (overpressure) of 24 atmospheres to them. Such a test will allow radiators to withstand well a working pressure of 16 atmospheres.

KalidoR radiators are also Italian - Radiatori 2000 S. p. A.

Production is located in the city of Bergamo and uses the most modern technologies in the production of batteries.Therefore, the characteristics of aluminum radiators made by this company are simply excellent. For example, good heat transfer and low susceptibility to corrosion can be mentioned. Their strong color, which is done using the method of anaphoresis, which is completed by epoxy-polyester spraying. Tests are carried out at a pressure of 24 atmospheres, which corresponds to a working pressure of 16 atmospheres.

The radiators are strong, last for a very long time and have a beautiful design.

Third Italians - ROVALL batteries from the Sira Group concern

The most popular models include: TANGO, OPERA, ALUX, JAZZ, BLUES, SWING. For the manufacture of radiators are taken pressed aluminum pipes. Batteries have a wide range of colors, and their surface is treated in a special way. For Russia, tests are carried out at a pressure of 30 atmospheres (respectively, the working pressure is 20 atmospheres).

Using a special technology, the company makes it possible to vary the height of the batteries from 20 to 250 centimeters. Therefore, they can be installed in any niche.

A popular producer is Fondital

And it is also from Italy. But his battery Calidor Super is designed specifically for the CIS countries and Russia, so it is perfectly suited to the natural conditions of these countries. In its manufacture, Russian standards are complied with (GOST RR. 9001. 5. 1. 9009) and European standards (EN 442). Pour these aluminum pressure radiators. Maximum resistance to pressure from the inside - 50 atmospheres.

The increased diameter of the water channels prevents radiators from clogging up with not very clean water, and thickened walls provide the necessary strength.

Table: Technical characteristics of popular models of aluminum radiators

* All values ​​in the table are for section 1 and are taken from the official websites of manufacturers.

** Thermal power is indicated at 70 ⁰ С.

Benefits and disadvantages of aluminum radiators

Positive qualities

• Aluminum batteries are very economical.
• Their small weight does not cause inconvenience during assembly and disassembly.
• There is a regulator for temperature control.
• Installation of such heating devices does not cause difficulties.
• The heat transfer coefficient is the highest.
• These radiators look very presentable and original, therefore they can be used in ordinary apartments and in elite premises.

Negative moments

• Water leakage is possible at intersection joints.
• Heat is distributed extremely unevenly, mainly focusing on the ribbed surface of the sections.
• Convection heat transfer is very small.
• They do not last very long - up to fifteen years. However, some manufacturers have fixed it - they have increased the warranty to twenty and twenty five years.
• Formation of gases is possible.
• Aluminum is distinguished by high chemical activity, so corrosion is its strong enemy.To protect the batteries from this enemy, manufacturers conduct a special anti-corrosion treatment of batteries. Or cover them with a layer of oxide film.

Aluminum's chemical activity is perhaps the main drawback of batteries made from this material. Therefore, when there are chemical impurities in the hot water circulating in the central heating system, the chemical reaction results in accelerated destruction of the radiator walls. And aluminum radiators are very sensitive to the instability of the pressure in the heating system.

Because of these shortcomings, such radiators are best used only in autonomous heating systems. There you will be sure that there will be no "chemistry" in neutral hot water flowing through radiators, the pH of the coolant will be neutral, and the pressure in the system will not jump to infinite values. But in the apartment it is dangerous to install aluminum radiators - even a ban on this is available from the relevant authorities.

Video: Installation of aluminum radiators