Sectional view of a heating radiator: what it looks like, how it works

The heating battery is a structure of upper and lower collectors connected by vertical pipes. The composition also includes valves, taps and other fittings. The presented material shows and describes in detail the radiator in cross-section, types of equipment, their pros and cons.

Radiator design

One of the common types of batteries is made of stainless steel. It is used in many apartment buildings and private buildings, and is characterized by efficient heating, resistance to corrosion and a relatively affordable price. The design of a heating radiator can be considered using this model as an example.

The equipment is represented by 2 steel plates, which are connected to each other by rib channels (2), running in the vertical and horizontal directions. Essentially, these are pipes within which water or other coolant circulates. Each rib plate is covered with a grille (3) for effective air circulation. The outer plate is covered with corrugated metal leaves (6). They have sufficient area to heat the air to the maximum.

How a heating radiator is designed depends on its type. For example, in some cases the batteries do not have fins - they are simply connected together to form a common panel.The plates can have either a smooth or corrugated surface (5). Not always, but quite often, batteries are equipped with a control valve. The thermostatic head (1) is fixed to it.

Both steel and aluminum sectional heating radiators are connected to the heating system via 4 connecting pipes (8). In some cases, it is necessary to shut off the hot water supply - a special valve (7) is provided for this.

Battery operating principle

The sectional view of the heating radiator shown allows you to understand the operating principle of this device. Regardless of the type of material or design features, the battery operation scheme is approximately the same. It is a sealed pipe system through which hot water is supplied, heating the air. Moreover, heat transfer occurs due to 2 phenomena:

1. Thermal radiation - the space is heated by the hot surface of the equipment.
2. Convection - air, heating up, rises, then cools and moves down. After this, the cycle is repeated many times.

The operating principle of a heating radiator allows the use of only one of these phenomena, and most often it is thermal radiation. Although modern bimetallic batteries are designed to utilize both processes. Thanks to this, even a large room warms up as quickly as possible.

Types of radiators

The rate of heat transfer directly depends not only on the design, but also on what the heating battery is made of. For example, old cast iron batteries take longer to heat up, but they heat the air for a long time even when disconnected from the heating circuit. However, in modern houses bimetallic and steel models are more often used.There are other varieties - the most common are:

Cast iron

How a heating radiator works depends little on the material it is made of. For example, cast iron radiators also heat the room due to thermal radiation and convection. These are old models, which today are everywhere being replaced by modern materials. They are very strong and durable, but will corrode over time. Externally, such equipment already looks obsolete.

Aluminum

As already mentioned, the design of a cast iron heating battery is practically no different from a metal one. However, the material greatly affects heat transfer and operating efficiency. According to this indicator, aluminum devices are more preferable than cast iron ones. They are lightweight and not susceptible to corrosion, although they can become clogged with dirty water, so it is advisable to install filters.

An aluminum radiator in cross-section looks about the same as a classic steel one. But it is worth remembering that the material is softer. Therefore, in houses with strong pressure in the heating circuit, it can leak, especially during a surge or emergency.

Steel

A common type of battery with panel or tubular design. The first one is cheaper and at the same time is characterized by good heat transfer. This is unpretentious equipment, resistant to corrosion and clogging. The sectional structure of an aluminum heating radiator is approximately the same as that of a steel one. But steel models are much stronger and last at least 20 years.

Bimetallic

This is a modern type of equipment, made of two metals at once - steel and copper. The design of this type of heating battery is classic, but due to the presence of a copper insert, the strength is significantly increased.In addition, the models are characterized by high heat transfer, although they have the disadvantage of high cost.

Copper

As already mentioned, what the heating radiator is made of affects its reliability, as well as technical characteristics. In terms of durability, strength and corrosion resistance, copper batteries are the leaders. They last 30-40 years or more, do not rust and have good heat dissipation. Such equipment allows you to use not only water, but also antifreeze. The main disadvantage is the high cost.

Types of battery designs

Heating radiators in the section, the photo of which is shown above, are a system of pipes of different designs. Depending on this important indicator, the following types are distinguished:

1. Sectional - a classic version, made up of several separate sections. Their number can be either reduced or increased, adjusting to the required power and size of the niche.
2. Tubular – a one-piece metal structure, has lower and upper collectors, which are connected by pipes running vertically. The principle of how this type of heating radiator works is based on convection and thermal radiation.
3. Panel - mostly steel, but there are also concrete ones (the latter are mounted in the thickness of the wall). They warm the air through radiation.
4. Lamellar, on the contrary, they work on the principle of convection. The structure is represented by a core and metal plates or ribs.

Thus, the battery design is quite simple. The radiator is equipped with several sections, and the upper and lower collectors are connected by pipes, thereby forming a single system. Water flowing through the supply pipe heats the air due to radiation and convection.Then, after cooling a little, it goes into the return pipe, from where it enters the boiler and again into the batteries. Such cycles are repeated many times, making it possible to heat even large areas.