Reducing the cost of operating heating systems is one of the urgent tasks of our time. For this you need to use economical appliances, radiators with maximum heat dissipation and a reliable piping system. As an alternative type of energy source, you can consider hydrogen heating at home with your own hands: a circuit, installation, boiler, generator, burner for which have their own specific quality and design.
The principle of operation of the hydrogen heating system
The basis for the functioning of hydrogen heating at home was taken the method of allocation of a large amount of thermal energy in the interaction of hydrogen molecules and oxygen. The only by-factor of this reaction is plain water. For the practical application of this principle, industrial models of hydrogen heating boilers were first developed.
They occupied a fairly large area and had a relatively low efficiency - up to 80%. As a result of the development of the company's technologies, the manufacturers made a number of improvements, the result of which was a hydrogen installation for heating a house.
For its operation, the following conditions must be met:
- Connect to a fluid source. Most often, this is a normal plumbing system. Consumption depends on the capacity of the boiler;
- Power supply. To maintain the electrolysis reaction, it is necessary to connect to the electric network;
- Periodic catalyst replacement. The period depends on the model and power of the boiler.
Unlike solid-fuel gas plants, do-it-yourself hydrogen heating is characterized by lower safety requirements. This is due to the fact that all reactions take place inside the installation, and only visual control of the parameters is required from the user.
In improvised installations leakage of oxygen-hydrogen mixture is possible. Before starting them, it is necessary to check the capacity for complete tightness.
What is a hydrogen generator
Alternative hydrogen heating at home can be done in another way - by generating a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. It is a good alternative to natural gas - the average combustion temperature can reach 3000 degrees. This requires a special hydrogen burner for heating, which will be able to withstand such a high degree of heating.
A detailed diagram consists of the following elements:
- Efficient hydrogen generator for heating, processing the mixture by decomposing water into components. Catalysts are also used to optimize the reaction;
- Burner piping from the generator. Needed to create an open flame;
- Boiler. In this case, it acts as a heat exchange device. The burner is located in the furnace and with its help the heating medium is heated in the system.
In order to make hydrogen heating boilers with their own hands, they most often do the modernization of already installed equipment according to the above scheme. In financial terms, this is much more economical than buying a factory boiler. However, the area that will be occupied by the hydrogen plant designated for heating the house is increasing.
Positive aspects and disadvantages of hydrogen heating systems
For each consumer, the operational characteristics of the heating device are of great importance.Do-it-yourself factory installations and hydrogen heating boilers differ in efficiency. You can find several working schemes that you can assemble yourself. But at the same time, their calculated capacity will differ from the actual one, and the efficiency indicator often does not exceed 75-80%. That is why the organization of hydrogen heating with your own hands is recommended to be done with the help of reliable boilers or generators of factory production.
Consider the positive qualities of heating appliances, in which the hydrogen-oxygen mixture acts as a coolant:
- Almost unlimited fuel supplies. To refuel a hydrogen heating boiler, ordinary water is required:
- Low power consumption. For the operation of a plant with a power of 27 kW, it is necessary to provide a maximum volume of electricity of 0.3 kW / h:
- No harmful carbon monoxide. During the combustion of the hydrogen-oxygen mixture, only a small amount of water vapor is released.
Experts know that when a hydrogen generator is used for heating, the resulting gas is classified as explosive. It has no smell and color - it is impossible for a person to determine its presence and concentration in the room. The ignition temperature is 540 degrees, which classifies it as explosive. That is why home-made installations should be checked for correct operation.
When purchasing a hydrogen heating generator, it is recommended to ask about the availability of a boiler or heat exchanger designed for it. It should be designed to withstand the elevated temperatures characteristic of the hydrogen mixture.
The limiting factor in the acquisition of a factory generator for factory heating is its cost. The most popular Star 1.1 model with a capacity of 27 kW can be purchased for 50 thousand rubles. Also, at least once a year, it is necessary to replace the catalyst unit, designed to increase the efficiency of a hydrogen heating boiler, made even by yourself.
In the future, the hydrogen heating system in the near future will seriously compete with the traditional one. This will be facilitated by a decrease in the cost of equipment, as well as an increase in its efficiency.
Equipment
In addition to a hydrogen generator, other components are needed to create a complete heating system. Since the device in question is only a fuel source, it is necessary to choose the rest of the equipment correctly. The classical scheme of a hydrogen generator for heating provides for connection to a water supply system, as well as mandatory air supply. Therefore, in the room where the generator will be installed, first of all, it is necessary to organize constant access of these components.
Hydrogen burner
First you need to choose the right hydrogen burner for heating. It is best to purchase or make the model yourself, which includes 4 nozzles. For this, components designed for natural gas are suitable. The nozzle diameter of which nozzles will be sufficient to maintain the combustion process.
Hydrogen boiler
It is necessary to organize the process of transferring thermal energy from the burner flame to the water in the pipes. For this, you can use any solid fuel boiler. Since it will not be used for its intended purpose, it can be filled with granite stones, they will perform several functions at once.
- Uniform distribution of heat from a hydrogen-fired heating boiler made by oneself to a heat carrier;
- Even after the mixture ceases to burn, the accumulated thermal energy will be transferred from granite to water in the pipes for some time;
- Protection of the heat exchanger of a hydrogen installation, designed for heating a house from direct exposure to flame. This will significantly increase the service life.
By installing a flame sensor on the burner, you can increase the safety of the entire system. In the event of unforeseen attenuation, the sensor will signal the generator to stop the flow of the mixture into the burner.
Hydrogen Heating Tips
All other elements of hydrogen heating installed by oneself do not differ from the standard scheme. The only additional requirement for them is the ability to perform their functions at elevated temperature conditions. Since, according to the scheme of a hydrogen generator for heating, the maximum flame temperature can reach 3000 degrees, it is necessary to provide measures to stabilize the heating of the coolant. One of them is the above-described loading of stones into the furnace of a solid fuel boiler. It is also recommended to make the following modernization of the hydrogen heating boiler.
- Install temperature sensors inside the heat exchanger. They will signal the excess of the level of water heating;
- In the device of a hydrogen burner add automatic shutoff valves connected to the temperature sensor in the boiler.
Self-modification of a hydrogen heating generator is prohibited. This will increase the likelihood of leakage of the generated oxygen-hydrogen mixture into the room.
Since hydrogen heating the house with your own hands, namely: circuit, installation, boiler, generator, burner and other components are available in a small assortment - it is recommended to contact only trusted manufacturers. These include Star Industries, whose products are designed for both private homes and large industrial and commercial buildings. You can see their model by watching the video.
