13 February 2024 is an important date for fitters. On that day, Valvex – the national leader in the ball valve segment – announced the introduction of modern magnetic separators. V-PURE DN 25 and H-PURE DN 32 are the absolute best, fully comprehensive solution for protecting the installation and its components against solid and magnetic contamination. They are used in central heating installations, powered by heat pumps, gas boilers and other heat sources, as well as in air conditioning installations.
No specialist who deals with it on a daily basis needs to be convinced of the importance of protecting the installation. Regardless of the type of installation, removing contaminants helps to avoid failure of its individual components, such as circulation pump impellers, zone valves or heat exchangers. Failure of selected components leads to a decrease in heating efficiency and effectiveness.
Contamination in the central heating system is the result of corrosion and water scaling. These particles can be of a magnetic type – resulting from the corrosion of metal – or of a non-magnetic type, such as sand. The harder the water, the more sediment (scale) precipitates and builds up in pipes and radiators. The high temperature of the water and the high pH value facilitate the formation of sediments; corrosion, on the other hand, is associated with the presence of air in the system and the reduced pH value of the water. In addition, magnetic and non-magnetic contamination may be caused by residues from installation work. Regardless of the method of formation, all solid and magnetic contaminants pose a real threat to the proper functioning of the installation.
There are several solutions to protect central heating installations against solid and magnetic contamination. When deciding on a specific solution, you should take into account primarily the Kv coefficient of the device and the size of the settling tank.
In the case of the first of the above-mentioned factors, it is important to select a device with a coefficient value that does not cause excessive resistance in the installation. Although the minimum Kv value of the separation device should be determined by the designer, in practice, fitters often select devices based only on their experience. However, it should be remembered that the minimum value of the Kv coefficient should always be determined based on the characteristics of the installation, as well as the manufacturer’s guidelines of a given heating device.
The second key factor influencing the selection of a device to protect the installation is the size of the settling tank. In particular, for modernised installations, i.e. equipped with radiators or metal pipes, a device with a large space for accumulating dirt should be used.
The last criterion is the amount of filtration, specified in the safety data sheet of the product intended to protect the installation.
Magnetic separators are one of the two basic tools, next to oblique filters, for protecting central heating installations. However, they are more effective than oblique filters. Provided there is adequate installation space, the use of magnetic separators is strongly recommended. They are the best possible solution, especially in the case of installations with a high potential for contamination – such as old, modernised installations with metal elements.
Removal of magnetic contaminants in separators is achieved by using magnetic cores – similarly to oblique filters equipped with magnetic cartridges. But those used in separators are much larger than their counterparts in oblique filters, which translates into their power. The separators have a higher Kv flow coefficient than oblique filters, which causes lower flow resistance in the installation. In addition, the separators have a larger space for the accumulation of contaminants, so they do not require cleaning as frequently as oblique filters.
Removal of solid particles from separators can be done in three ways: using mesh filters, vortex chambers or special mesh that precipitates the energy of contaminants.
The first of them is especially noteworthy. It is based on the use of stainless steel mesh filters placed in the body of the device. Unlike the solution with vortex chambers, separation occurs immediately during the first circulation cycle, regardless of the speed of the liquid in the installation.
At the beginning of February, two new magnetic separators appeared in the Valvex product range – differing in design and hydraulic parameters, and therefore in application.
What is worth knowing about them…?
The H-PURE DN 32 magnetic separator is intended for installation on horizontal pipelines. It is used to protect installations and devices that require high-capacity fittings, especially for installations with heat pumps. Thanks to the high Kv coefficient, it can be successfully used in installations where high flow values are necessary. The solid brass body with 5/4″ diameter connections allows for a flow rate of 16.25 m³.
The second of the new separators – V-PURE DN 25 – may be used in both horizontal and vertical pipelines. This is due to the location of a rotating connection flange with a connection diameter of 1”. V-PURE DN 25 has been designed to protect installations where space saving is necessary. It is especially recommended for protecting systems with gas boilers.
Both models share common functions:
| Code | Pmax (PN) | Temp. min. (°C) | Temp. max. (°C) | Kv (m³/h) | Magnet power (Gs) | Filter net mesh size (μm) | Connection diameter | |
| Magnetic contaminant separator V-PURE DN 25 | 6096980 | PN 5 | 0 | 90 | 5.02 | 11,000 | 800 | 1” |
| Magnetic contaminant separator H-PURE DN 32 | 6096990 | PN 5 | 0 | 90 | 16.25 | 11,000 | 800 | 5/4” |
By introducing the H-PURE DN 32 and V-PURE DN 25 magnetic separators, Valvex once again met the expectations of fitters looking for quality solutions to facilitate their daily work. Production based on high-quality components, unique construction solutions, and rigorous tests before introducing the product to sale are factors that make both separators the absolute leaders in their category. On the one hand, fitters received the H-PURE DN 32 model, which is dedicated to the protection of installations and devices that require the use of high-capacity fittings, especially in installations with heat pumps. On the other hand, in situations where installation space is limited, the compact V-PURE DN 25 model provides advanced installation protection. Regardless of the device that the fitter chooses, with the advent of Valvex magnetic separators, fitters gained a reliable and extremely effective alternative for protecting even the most advanced installations.
