Air & Dirt Separators: How do they work?

Air and dirt separators are key components of many hydronic systems. Helping to improve the efficiency and longevity of plumbing systems, air and dirt separators overcome a number of common problems for heating and cooling systems in domestic, commercial and industrial properties.

Whether you want to know more about how air and dirt separators work, or need more information about the installation, maintenance, and key features - we are here to help.

At Altecnic, we have more than 35 years of experience supplying high quality, dependable plumbing components to the trade and public, throughout the UK. For more information about our domestic air and dirt separators and commercial air and dirt separators, explore our product ranges or contact our friendly experts for more advice and order enquiries.

What are Air & Dirt Separators?

What are air separators?

Air separators are a type of device installed in heating and cooling systems. They work to remove air bubbles in system water, helping to ensure reliability and efficiency in system performance. Air separators are used throughout residential and commercial properties in the UK, mitigating the effects of poor heat transfer, excessive noise, and uneven balancing.

What are dirt separators?

Dirt separators are used to remove debris and contaminants from system water. Dirt separators are essential for residential and commercial heating systems alike, helping to prevent pipe clogging, pipe corrosion, and system imbalance.

How do Air Separators work?

Air separators work on the principle that air is less dense than water, using a number of mechanisms to remove unwanted air from the system water. This follows a process of reducing water velocity, coalescing (combining) air bubbles, and venting the air from the system.

Air separators reduce the velocity of water flow through hydronic systems, achieved by using a larger cross-sectional area than the pipes they are connected to. By reducing water flow velocity, this causes any system air to rise to the top of the water due to lower density.

While ranging in design and function, coalescing mediums such as baffles, stainless steel meshes, and plastic rings inside air separators are often used to provide additional surfaces for air bubbles to interact. This causes the air bubbles to coalesce (or combine), increase in size to assist with venting and removal from the system.

Once the air is separated, it collects in a chamber at the top of the separator. This is then vented out of the system, through the use of an automatic air vent.

How do Dirt Separators work?

Dirt separators are designed to remove debris, sediments and contaminants from hydronic heating and cooling systems using a series of processes including: water velocity reduction, filtration, and debris collection.

In contrast to air bubbles, heavier particles such as dirt, sand, rust, and scale settle to the bottom of the water flow following water velocity reduction. Internal particle filters work to capture finer debris that do not readily settle, and can capture both magnetic and non-magnetic debris as required.

Depending on the design of the dirt separators, the settled debris and contaminants collect in a chamber at the bottom of the separator for periodic flushing or cleaning. This ensures that any contaminants, debris and dirt are removed from the system, preventing issues in operation.

Why use air and dirt separators:

When deciding on installing air or dirt separators into your hydronic system, it is important to consider the positives and negatives for your specific needs.

Pros of air separators:

• Improved Efficiency: Removing air improves heat transfer, leading to more efficient heating or cooling and potentially lower energy bills.
• Increased Longevity: Less air means less corrosion, protecting pipes and components for a longer lifespan.
• Reduced Noise: Eliminates gurgling, hissing, and whooshing sounds caused by air bubbles.
• Better System Balance: Helps ensure even distribution of heat or cooling throughout the system.

Pros of dirt separators:

• Improved Efficiency: Prevents clogs and buildup that reduce heat transfer and water flow.
• Increased Longevity: Reduces wear and tear on pumps, valves, and other components.
• Reduced Maintenance: Less need for frequent cleaning and flushing of the system.
• Better System Balance: Helps maintain consistent water flow for even heating or cooling.

While adding a small initial cost to your hydronic system, air and dirt separators can lead to significant savings in energy costs, repairs, and maintenance over the long run. Crucially, they also contribute to more reliable system operation, ensuring comfort for your guests no matter the purpose of your system.

At Altecnic, we manufacture and supply high-quality, cost-effective air and dirt separators for your hydronic systems. We supply heating and plumbing system components directly to you, supporting businesses, homeowners, and the trade throughout the UK. For more information about our range, contact our experts today.

Maintenance tips for air & dirt separators

As specialists in plumbing and heating system components, we have put together a list of useful maintenance tips for your air separators and dirt separators to ensure reliable system performance.

• Inspecting air separators: It is essential to periodically inspect your air separator housing for any leaks or damage, ensuring connections are tight and free from signs of corrosion. Routine inspections help to address any problems in system conditions before they can escalate. If you find any signs of leaks, damage or corrosion, Altecnic stock a complete range of replacement components to fix your system.
• Flushing dirt separators: This is crucial for the maintenance of your hydronic system. Depending on the level of contaminants and dirt in your system water, you may need to flush out the dirt separator more regularly. This process can be carried out by isolating the dirt separator by closing the valves on either side of the separator. The drain valve can then be opened at the bottom of the separator, allowing the dirt and debris to drain out. Clean water can then be used to flush the separator out. Once the water runs clean, the drain valve can be closed with isolation valves reopened. If you have a magnetic separator, it is important to remove the magnet before flushing to release any trapped ferrous particles.

Altecnic: Your hydronic component specialists

Whether selecting an air or dirt separator for a new hydronic system, or replacing an existing separation component, we manufacture and supply a complete range of separators to suit your requirements.

Altecnic air and dirt separators are available in a full range of connection types and sizes to suit imperial, metric and Diameter Nominal (DN) requirements. From homes, offices and shopping centres to hospitals, care homes, and factories, we supply hydronic components to suit any domestic or commercial requirements. Explore our air and dirt separators or contact our friendly experts for more information or order enquiries.