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Model size
40 H/V 60 H/V 80 V 115 V 139 V Gallon
In recent years there have been many ener- small systems. Sometimes the culprits are A bonus benefit that accrues when using
gy-saving improvements to controls and the antiquated outdoor-reset three-way vertical Buffer / Decoupler tanks is their
hydraulics associated with Hydronic Piping valve designs, or systems incorporating the inherent ability to serve as the system air
Systems. Some of these may result in energy-wasting central hydronic boiler fired separator. The port configuration of
reduced performance for high recovery boil- in summer for DHW-only using heat Raypaks vertical Buffer / Decoupler was
ers if they reduce system flow or volume exchangers. laid out to match the flow pattern of an air
enough to cause continuous or intermittent separator. By properly selecting the vol-
short cycling based on small system vol- Raypaks recognized seasonal efficiency umes associated with each boiler system,
ume. There is an easy remedy! Raypak has optimization using primary / secondary we are able to achieve very efficient air
developed an array of properly-sized Buffer system designs often avoids all need for a separation. Combining the functions into
/ Decoupler systems and tanks. For Buffer / Decoupler. Refer to the Raypak one piece of equipment keeps the equip-
Hydronic systems, a primary/secondary website, www.Raypak.com for a whitepa- ment design clean and limits the number of
design is widely accepted to afford opti- per by Larry Ashton, PE. When more volume connections, while still providing proper
mum energy savings in multiple boiler is needed, properly-sized Buffer / Decoupler boiler operation.
installations. The energy savings is even tanks are the answer.
more dramatic when adapted to direct This brochure describes several systems and
DHW systems. In each case, a decoupler is When you add the water content of a applications where buffering additional vol-
employed. If system flow calculations indi- Buffer / Decoupler tank, some may say that ume is frequently needed, with proper
cate the need for a small Buffer / you have the equivalent of a low-recovery sizing guidelines, and piping diagrams.
Decoupler, now it can be properly and eco- boiler. NOT SO! A separate minimally-sized Drawings are also included. Raypak offers
nomically sized, combined with the decou- and well-insulated Buffer / Decoupler tank tanks to add the water volume needed
pler function and is included during the mitigates virtually all radiation loss and without over-sizing. For most systems, with
design phase. This small Buffer / Decoupler keeps the warm water in the system, not in single or multiple boilers, properly-sized
approach retains the virtually-zero standby the boiler or exposed to the flue. The extra Buffer / Decoupler tanks will range
loss during off periods that is unique to water is then available to handle rapid or between 40 and 139 gallons; custom-sized
high-recovery boilers. unusual demand changes for whatever the tanks are also available. All Raypak Buffer /
reason. The high-recovery boiler still stages Decoupler tanks are specially designed to
Rapid system temperature fluctuations can or modulates, and turns off on light loads. incorporate the necessary number and size
result from several design conditions. Some Combined with Raypaks standard of connections to match typical system pip-
stem from recently advanced technology, EconoMaster residual heat recovery con- ing requirements, without increasing field
some from less desirable and often outdat- trol, this eliminates the hot chimney effect. piping costs. They are also constructed in
ed design approaches. Examples are: Light Low-recovery water-filled boilers stay heat- accordance with ASME codes and are
Loads, Low System Flow Rates, and Rapid ed even during light demand, so the hot National Board listed.
Load Changes caused by large zones in chimney is ever present.
2
Buffer / Decoupler
Sizing
To use this equation first determine the following: Note 4: For information regarding typical minimum and maxi-
mum variable primary pump flows in multiple boiler systems,
The rated firing rate of selected boiler see www.raypak.com tech corner, Larry Ashtons white paper
on optimizing efficiency with multiboiler system.
The certified boiler efficiency at full input rate
The minimum boiler firing rate percentage
3
Buffer / Decoupler
Horizontal Configuration
7 3
49 8 8
FROM SYSTEM
(BAFFLED) 24
3 GAUGE TO SYSTEM (2X) BAFFLE
4 12
TYP. ASME NAMEPLATE
w/STANDOFF
1
21 4
5
20
3 3
50 4 8
FROM SYSTEM 1
21 4
(BAFFLED)
(2X) BAFFLE
1 NPT 5 TO SYSTEM
10 8
GAUGE 3
16 4 TYP. ASME NAMEPLATE
w/STANDOFF
1
17 4
1/2 NPT
2 NPT w/PLUG
FROM BOILER INSPECTION OPENING
(BAFFLED) 1/2 NPT TO BOILER
1
SENSOR WELL 2 TYP. (4X) 2-1/2 NPT
1 NPT
DRAIN
105 Pounds Model 40 Gal.
Optional mounting kits are available for use with Hi Delta boilers.
4
Buffer / Decoupler
Vertical Configuration
16
20
TOP VIEW
TOP VIEW
AIR VENT
1/2 NPT w/PLUG
STANDARD
3/4 TYP. BAFFLES
213/8 19-11/161/2
4-1/8
8-5/8
8-1/4 6
90 90
45 45
5
Buffer / Decoupler
Vertical Configuration
(2X) LIFT LUGS 0 0 (2X) LIFT LUGS
270 90
270 90
A 24
5
180 180
TOP VIEW TOP VIEW
1-1/2 NPT 1 NPT
(T&P) PORT 1 NPT (AIR VENT)
1 NPT
(AIR VENT) (GAUGE)
4 150# ANSI RFSO
(w/BAFFLE) 1-1/2 NPT 4 150# ANSI RFSO
1 NPT (w/BAFFLE)
(GAUGE)
(2X) 2 NPT
(2X) 2 NPT (PLUGGED)
(PLUGGED) 4
ASME NAMEPLATE
w/STANDOFF
ASME NAMEPLATE 5
w/STANDOFF TYP.
1/2 NPT 5
D 18 8
(T STAT) 1
1/2 NPT 45 4
(T STAT)
69
4 150# ANSI RFSO
(w/BAFFLE)
4 150# ANSI RFSO 5 1 1
(w/BAFFLE) 10 8 82 16 2
C
4 150# ANSI RFSO
4 150# ANSI RFSO
B 12
5
TYP.
3 3
(3X) 2-1/2 X 2-1/2 16 16 27 8 3
21 8
ANGLE LEGS
4
6
1 NPT 3
(DRAIN) 8 (3X) 2-1/2 X 2-1/2
FRONT ELEVATION TYP. 3
ANGLE LEGS
1 NPT 8
FRONT ELEVATION TYP.
(DRAIN)
(3X) 3/4 HOLE
ON 18-7/16 B.C.
4 150#
4 150# ANSI RFSO ANSI RFSO
6
Buffer / Decoupler
Applications
SYSTEM
RETURN
AIR VENT ISOLATION
VAVLE (TYP)
THERMOMETER SYSTEM
SUPPLY
SYSTEM
WATER
SENSOR
WATER
PRESSURE BUFFER
REGULATOR BOILER-MOUNTED
TANK PRESSURE
RELIEF VALVE
PUMP LOCATION
ON MODELS
WITHOUT
INTEGRAL PUMP
ZONE 3
ZONE 2
ZONE 1
Light Loads
Light loads include a load that is less than the minimum firing rate of the boiler and low volume in the heating loop. This can result in
short cycling of the boiler. Adding a Buffer / Decoupler tank that is heated by the boiler will provide a flywheel effect where the
Buffer / Decoupler tank can carry the heating load for a few minutes with the boiler in the off mode. Also, when the boiler fires it will
stay on long enough to reheat the Buffer / Decoupler tank increasing the duration of the off and on cycles.
ISOLATION
VALVE (TYP) SYSTEM
RETURN
AIR VENT
SYSTEM
THERMOMETER
SUPPLY
SYSTEM
WATER
SENSOR
WATER
PRESSURE BUFFER BOILER-MOUNTED
REGULATOR TANK PRESSURE
RELIEF VALVE
PUMP LOCATION
ON MODELS
WITHOUT
INTEGRAL PUMP
ZONE 2
ZONE 1
7
Buffer / Decoupler
Applications
SYSTEM
ISOLATION RETURN
AIR VENT VALVE (TYP)
THERMOMETER SYSTEM
SUPPLY
SYSTEM
WATER
SENSOR
WATER BOILER-MOUNTED
PRESSURE PRESSURE
REGULATOR RELIEF VALVE
EXPANSION
SYSTEM PUMP
TANK FILL
WATER
ZONE 10
OPTIONAL INTEGRAL PUMP
ZONE 9 (CERTAIN MODELS)
ZONE 8
PUMP LOCATION
ZONE 7 BUFFER ON MODELS
TANK WITHOUT
ZONE 6
INTEGRAL PUMP
ZONE 5
ZONE 4
ZONE 3
ZONE 2
ZONE 1
SYSTEM
RETURN
EXPANSION
TANK
WATER
PRESSURE
REGULATOR
SYSTEM
WATER
SENSOR
BOILER-MOUNTED SYSTEM
BUFFER PRESSURE SUPPLY
TANK RELIEF VALVE
ISOLATION
VALVES (TYP)
PUMP LOCATION
ON MODELS
WITHOUT
INTEGRAL PUMP
Three-way Valves
Three-way valves have been utilized in the past to accomplish outdoor reset with high-mass boilers that traditionally require continuous
high-temperature operation to prevent condensation and/or thermal shock. In such systems the boiler is maintained at or above the highest
temperature required and then blended down via the three-way valve to achieve the desired heating loop temperature. Raypak offers several
outdoor reset packages that accomplish outdoor reset by directly resetting the boiler operating temperature. However, for some existing sys-
tems, or when there is a firm system specification for a three-way valve, the Buffer / Decoupler tank can be plumbed into the boiler
8
loop to create some flywheel effect.
Buffer / Decoupler
Applications
PROCESS PUMP
SYSTEM
PROCESS
SYSTEM PUMP
FILL
WATER
WATER
PRESSURE
ISOLATION REGULATOR
VALVE (TYP)
AIR VENT
THERMOMETER
EXPANSION
TANK
SYSTEM
WATER
SENSOR
BOILER-MOUNTED
PRESSURE
RELIEF VALVE
BUFFER
TANK
PUMP LOCATION
ON MODELS
WITHOUT
INTEGRAL PUMP
9
Buffer / Decoupler
Applications
HOT WATER
SUPPLY
THERMOMETER
SYSTEM
WATER
SENSOR BOILER-MOUNTED
PRESSURE
RELIEF VALVE
PUMP LOCATION
ON MODELS
WITHOUT
INTEGRAL PUMP
Raypak, Inc. 2151 Eastman Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93030 phone: (805) 278-5300 fax: (800) 872-8725 www.raypak.com
2011 Raypak, Inc. Cat. No. 2000.82-G Effective: 11-01-16 Replaces: 03-01-15