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Plate heat exchanger considerations

Scalextrix · 2025-05-06T17:45:16Z

Considering an ASHP and an issue has cropped up. Heat loss calcs show 5-8kW (depending on who you believe). We currently have a vented central heating system, I'm worried about moving to a pressurised system because of the danger of pipe leaks. I suspect the copper pipe in the concrete floors downstairs is as old as the house (~60 years), and I see no evidence of there being separation between the concrete and copper. We did have a minor pinhole leak in the loft when an old pipe had corroded probably due to flux corrosion. The consequences of a leak in the floor would be quite large, we have fairly new flooring throughout. So I'm thinking to request there be a plate heat exchanger to keep the ASHP and DHW tank pressurised, and leave the CH vented. Clearly both sides need pumping, which is a disadvantage, and clearly some efficiency will be lost, does anyone have direct experience? Let's say the CH system should have a flow of 45C, how hot would the ASHP have to run, 46, 47? What about the difference in flow rates? Are there other problems?

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Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs)

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Scalextrix

(@scalextrix)

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Joined: 2 years ago

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Topic starter 16/06/2025 7:24 am

@jamespa I don't understand any point in an air test, if that fails, then the pipes are then broken, and the system cannot be refilled without digging up concrete and ruining finishes. Am I missing something?

Also, will the secondary circuit behind the PHE count towards the system volume of the primary circuit with the heat pump on it, or will we also need a volumizer? Why don't hot water circuits need minimum volumes?

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JamesPa

(@jamespa)

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16/06/2025 1:18 pm

Posted by: @scalextrix

↑

@jamespa I don't understand any point in an air test, if that fails, then the pipes are then broken, and the system cannot be refilled without digging up concrete and ruining finishes. Am I missing something?

If it blows open a joint or a pipe you are correct of course. Perhaps more likely it will detect an existing slow leak due eg to a pinhole in a solder joint or even a pipe and the leak will be detectable in the air pressure but not much water leaks out. Most likely it will detect nothing, but in principle the risk you identify does exist.

Posted by: @scalextrix

↑

Also, will the secondary circuit behind the PHE count towards the system volume of the primary circuit with the heat pump on it, or will we also need a volumizer? Why don't hot water circuits need minimum volumes?

If the pump speeds are correctly matched and the PHE correctly plumbed then yes, but if, for example, the secondary pump is switched on and off by a thermostat (which some installers do) then no, because there is no guarantee that the secondary will be in circuit during defrost.

DHW circuits dont need min volumes because either (a) the heat pump switches to heating mode when doing defrost or (b) the dhw in the tank has sufficient energy which is transferred via the coil. I dont actually know which, or whether some heat pumps switch and others dont.

4kW peak of solar PV since 2011; EV and a 1930s house which has been partially renovated to improve its efficiency. 7kW Vaillant heat pump.

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Scalextrix

(@scalextrix)

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Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 127

Topic starter 16/06/2025 1:42 pm

Posted by: @jamespa

↑

there is no guarantee that the secondary will be in circuit during defrost

Thanks, this is what I was thinking about, so as long as heat energy can transfer back through the PHE into the primary circuit during defrost, then that's fine. I suppose the secondary pump needs to run off of the same circuit as the primary pump so they are matched.

I suppose the other issue is cycling, and I can't quite get that straight in my head. Suppose as long as the PHE is doing it's job well, then the return flow temperature drop to the HP, will keep it running?

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JamesPa

(@jamespa)

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16/06/2025 3:41 pm

Posted by: @scalextrix

↑

I suppose the secondary pump needs to run off of the same circuit as the primary pump so they are matched.

They need to be switched on/off together. The pump rates may differ however. There is a bit of an science to setting up PHEs which I haven't fully understood yet; your installer should of course do this correctly but we all know what installers are like

Posted by: @scalextrix

↑

I suppose the other issue is cycling, and I can't quite get that straight in my head. Suppose as long as the PHE is doing it's job well, then the return flow temperature drop to the HP, will keep it running?

Depends on how the water pumps work. Some heat pumps leave the water pump running 24x7, others allow it to switch off and then switch it back on again from time to time to sample the current conditions. This is something again the installer needs to think about and understand properly. Unfortunately this is another reason to deprecate the use of PHEs (but I understand why you are proposing to have one).

Incidentally an acquaintance of mine is currently proposing to run his HP on a vented system without a PHE. Not sure what installers will make of that.

This post was modified 10 months ago by JamesPa

4kW peak of solar PV since 2011; EV and a 1930s house which has been partially renovated to improve its efficiency. 7kW Vaillant heat pump.

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Scalextrix

(@scalextrix)

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Joined: 2 years ago

Posts: 127

Topic starter 16/06/2025 3:56 pm

Posted by: @jamespa

↑

Incidentally an acquaintance of mine is currently proposing to run his HP on a vented system without a PHE. Not sure what installers will make of that.

As far as I can tell my vented system would have a peak pressure of about 0.5 Bar, which technically does meet the absolute minimum pressure of the ASHP (also 0.5Bar) specifications, but you are then hoping the sensor is very accurate and if it isn't, fault codes and no heating I suppose.

I wish your acquaintance all the best!

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