Air Lock -- Calorifier Loop

[Dockhead]

My calorifier has a loop for main engine coolant, besides the loop for the hydronic central heating. The main engine loop is really useful because it means we have constant, FREE hot water whenever motoring, and a fresh tank of hot water all ready when we come into port, which is when everyone wants showers. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really work. That’s because it was not installed well – there are high points in the piping, where air accumulates and air-locks the loop.

I want to solve this, and I have bought a circulation pump. My question is what to do about the high points. I can’t practically re-route the hoses to eliminate the high points, so what else can I do? I could cut the hoses and insert some kind of air bleeders (manual or automatic). OR, I could install some kind of header tank – the main high point would be slightly higher than the main header tank in the system.

But wouldn’t it need TWO header tanks, since there are both supply and return pipes? That seems kind of stupid. And how would they interact with the main header tank?

OR – maybe I don’t need anything, with the circulation pump blasting the coolant through the loop – maybe it will jjust blast the air out, too?
I will be very grateful for any hints, before I start chopping stuff up!

[GordMay]

T in an Air Vent at the high point(s) in the piping.
➥ https://www.taco-hvac.com/uploads/Fi...limination.pdf

➥ Air Vents, Water Safety & Flow Control, Watts
➥ Taco Comfort Solutions: Air Vents
➥ No. 87, 67 and 7 Automatic Air Vents - Xylem Applied Water Systems - United States

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

OR – maybe I don’t need anything, with the circulation pump blasting the coolant through the loop – maybe it will jjust blast the air out, too?
I will be very grateful for any hints, before I start chopping stuff up!

That is what I would try, and or installing smaller hoses, smaller diameter will increase velocity and force the air out, may cut down somewhat on total flow, but maybe not too

[Typhoon]

I used a big shopvac to bleed all the air out of my system . Just make sure you have a good bit of coolant in a pale and start sucking it through . It gets great velocity up and removes all air.

Regards John.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by ColdEh Marine

I used a big shopvac to bleed all the air out of my system . Just make sure you have a good bit of coolant in a pale and start sucking it through . It gets great velocity up and removes all air.

Regards John.

Thanks ; hot tip.