Definition and rationale

A diversity collector is a device used for fluid distribution and collection, mainly used in heating, air conditioning and water supply and drainage systems. In the heating system, it plays a key role. The basic principle is to evenly distribute the hot water from the heat source (such as the boiler) to each heating branch (such as the radiator in each room), which is the function of the water distributor; At the same time, it can also collect the cold water returned by each branch, collect it and return it to the heat source for reheating, this process is completed by the water collector. For example, in the central heating system of a multi-story house, a diversity collector can distribute hot water to various rooms on different floors, ensuring that each room gets the right heat supply.

Structural composition

Supervisor: includes water supply supervisor and return water supervisor. The water supply main is connected to the heat source and is responsible for receiving the hot water from the heat source and transporting it to the water distributor section. The return main is used to collect cold water from the collector part and return it to the heat source. The diameter of the main pipe is determined according to the flow requirements of the system. In general, the diameter of the main pipe is larger than that of the branch pipe to meet the water flow requirements of the entire system.

Branch interface: There are multiple branch interfaces on the diversity collector to connect each heating or cooling branch. The number of branch interfaces can be designed according to actual needs, and there are usually 3-8 branch interfaces in a home heating system for connecting radiators or underfloor heating pipes in different rooms. Branch interfaces are generally equipped with valves to facilitate individual control of fluid flow in each branch. For example, when heating is not required in a room, the water supply to that room can be stopped by closing the valve at the corresponding branch junction.

Valve: Branch valve: Installed on each branch interface to control the fluid flow of the branch. These valves can be manual valves, by rotating the hand wheel to adjust the opening; It can also be an electric valve, which can be remotely controlled and automatically adjusted by an electrical control system. The electric valve is widely used in the heating system of some intelligent buildings, which can automatically adjust the valve opening according to the feedback information of the temperature sensor in the room to achieve accurate temperature control.

Exhaust valve: generally installed on the top of the water distributor, used to discharge the air in the system. Air bubbles may occur in the pipes during the initial start-up of the heating system or after the system is refilled. If these air bubbles are not discharged in time, they will affect the normal circulation of water, resulting in poor heating effect. The exhaust valve can discharge this air to ensure the efficient operation of the system.

Blowdown valve: located at the bottom of the water collector, it is mainly used to discharge impurities and sediments in the system. Over time, the water in the heating system may contain impurities such as rust and sediment, which can be deposited at the bottom of the water collector. The blowdown valve can be opened regularly to discharge these impurities and maintain the cleanliness of the system.

Material and characteristics

Material: The material of the water collector is mainly copper, stainless steel and plastic.

Copper water collector has good thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance, and can withstand high pressure and temperature. Moreover, copper has good processing properties and is easy to manufacture a variety of complex shapes and structures. In some high-end heating systems and industrial applications, copper diversity collector is used more.

Stainless steel separator has high strength and strong corrosion resistance, especially in some situations with high water quality requirements or harsh environments (such as containing corrosive chemicals). However, the processing of stainless steel is relatively complex and the cost is high.

Plastic water collector light weight, cheap price, good insulation. However, its pressure and temperature resistance are relatively low, and it is generally used for some small household heating or water supply and drainage systems with low pressure and temperature requirements.

Features

Flow distribution uniformity: The diversity collector can evenly distribute the fluid to each branch to ensure that each branch can obtain a relatively stable flow. This is very important to ensure the balanced operation of the entire system, especially in large area heating or cooling systems, which can effectively avoid the temperature uneven phenomenon caused by too large or too small flow of some branches.

Easy system control and maintenance: Each branch can be easily controlled through the branch valve to achieve district heating or cooling. The setting of blowdown valve and exhaust valve also makes the maintenance work of the system easier, and can discharge impurities and air in time, extending the service life of the system.

Application scenario

Heating system: In the home floor heating system, the water collector is an essential equipment. It distributes hot water from the boiler to the floor heating pipes in the various rooms, and then collects the returned cold water and sends it back to the boiler. In large buildings with central heating, such as office buildings, hotels, etc., diversity water collector is also used to distribute hot water to various areas, such as different floors, different functional areas (meeting rooms, guest rooms, etc.), to achieve precise heating control.

Air conditioning system: In the central air conditioning water system, the diversity water collector can distribute chilled water or cooling water to the various air conditioning end devices (such as fan coils) and collect the returned water. This can ensure that each air conditioning end equipment can get the appropriate amount of cold or heat supply, to achieve comfortable indoor environment control.

Water supply and drainage system: In some large building water supply and drainage system, the diversity water collector can be used to distribute domestic water to different areas or water equipment, such as hot water distribution to each bathroom basin, shower head and so on. At the same time, it can also collect waste water and centrally treat it.