Oxyvent Ltd.

The Oxyvent Tank - The Biggest Advance in Central Heating Technology Ever

 

Introduction

Every day I hear the words, "if the heating system is installed properly, will there be no air in the system". People do not seem to realise that the air comes from the boiler once the temperature goes over 60°C / 140°F, therefore every time you switch on your boiler air is formed no matter what type of a heating system, pressurised or open vented. Many improvements have been made to heating systems down through the years but the one nightmare that is in every heating system in the world and will not go away is air. Air is the biggest contributor of problems to heating systems. It can accumulate and lodge in any part of the system. It causes corrosion and therefore breakdown in our heating systems costing us vast sums of money.

Millions are spent throughout the world each year on research to remove excess air from heating systems and until now nobody has successfully achieved this without the aid of chemicals. The Oxyvent Tank is the biggest breakthrough ever in heating products. Its ingenious design captures the air when it leaves the boiler and releases it automatically from all heating systems. It becomes the heart of any system blending the water temperatures and distributing it fast and even throughout. This allows the boiler temperatures to be set at a lower setting for higher room temperatures, The system will overcome cracks and noises whilst operating; it extends the life of boilers, pumps, pipes, radiators etc. and reduces the risks of leaks, giving a far more efficient and safer system.

If you are building or renovating your home and installing a state of the art heating system so that you will have no more heating problems, brace yourself because the reality is if the air is not removed from the heating system, you will end up with defects in the system.

Architects, engineers and installers are now specifying the Oxyvent System incorporating The Oxyvent Tank as standard in their installations. By installing The Oxyvent Tank they are confident that the heating system will then work to its full potential with none of the usual problems. It is easy to install The Oxyvent Tank in new and existing dwellings.

In an era where pollution is causing drastic damage to the ozone layer it is vital that we all make an effort to protect the environment. If all the houses in Ireland installed the Oxyvent system we would save in excess of €350 million per year in fuel bills and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3.3 million tonnes per year. Imagine the difference it would make to the environment internationally!


About Us

I, Tim Cremin have been a Plumbing & Heating Contractor since 1984 and have experience in both domestic and industrial heating. Having worked with various heating systems I discovered that the presence of air was the ultimate problem.

In working to discover the most efficient and cost-effective method of removing the air, I invented The Oxyvent Tank. It removes the air from the heating system and increases the flow rate, thereby allowing the system to work efficiently with significant fuel savings.

I found it a big advantage to be living in Ireland as we import a lot of heating products from around the world, which gave me knowledge of the various systems available, and I realised that every country has similar heating problems.

The radiator was invented in 1855 by Franz Sangalli and people all over the world are still having to use vent keys to get the air out of radiators.

After 150 years of dealing with the consequences of air in heating systems there is now a solution “The Oxyvent Tank”.

The Oxyvent Tank ingenious design captures the air when it leaves the boiler and releases it automatically from all heating systems, eliminates the need to bleed radiators, no more air locks or mysterious noises and totally transforms the operation of the heating system.

If you are building or renovating your home and installing a state of the art central heating system, so that you will have no more heating problems, brace yourself. The reality is if the air is not removed from the heating system, you will end up with defects in the system.
People know more about their heating system than they realise because whilst tending to something that needs maintenance you soon become skilful. A heating system is a large investment in your home and you at least deserve to have it functioning properly.

It was very difficult to get Installers to change from the conventional way of doing things. The existing system (with all its inefficiencies) had been tolerated far too long and I had the task of convincing them that The Oxyvent Tank will correct the problems and allow it to function like it should. Architects, engineers and installers are now specifying the Oxyvent System incorporating The Oxyvent Tank as standard in their installations.
By installing The Oxyvent Tank they are confident that the heating system will then work to its full potential with none of the usual problems and you will have a completely satisfied customer. It is easy to install The Oxyvent Tank in new and existing dwellings.

The success of Oxyvent has been accomplished by having an excellent product of the best quality, Innovative and good value for money. It sustained itself through the start up period and had a very talented team of practical people giving an exceptionally good customer service.

Tim Cremin
Inventor of The Oxyvent Tank.

 


Certification

The Oxyvent Tank is manufactured in The Netherlands, by the VDL Group who are a very impressive company with high quality standards. The VDL Group consists of over 60 companies operating across Europe, and primarily deal with high quality products and very technical manufacturing procedures and have the capacity of producing The Oxyvent Tank in mass production.

The Oxyvent Tank is manufactured in
The Netherlands to the highest environmental
standards;
• ISO 14001,
• ISO 9002,
• TUV certification of design, recognised world wide.
It is manufactured from high quality 7mm mild steel selected by TUV, surrounded with high quality moulded insulation with outer casing.

In tests carried out by Oxyvent in a dwelling house it was proven that before the Oxyvent Tank was installed the average room temperature reached a maximum of 15°c, after the tank was installed the average room temperature was increased to 19°c with the boiler temperature set 10°c lower.


Radiators

No more bleeding of radiators



The Oxyvent Tank when installed brings about dramatic change.
The Oxyvent Tank increases the flow of water through all radiators (33% min.)
This increase in flow rate results in differential between top and bottom of radiator
being as little as 1 degree.

Your radiator is now emitting radiant heat rather than the old convection heat.
It is a different type of heat much more intense and rooms maintain
the heat for longer.

The result of all this is a more uniform heat between ceiling and floor level
(not unlike underfloor heating systems).

Radiant heat creates an environment where the human body
feels vastly more comfortable in a shorter space of time than heretofore.

Room thermostats and thermostatic valves can be set lower,
yet your comfort level is higher.

Obviously this results in huge fuel savings for the householder.

The Radiator

The radiator was invented in 1855 by Franz Sangalli and people all over the world are still having to use vent keys to get the air out of radiators. Frequent bleeding of radiators is a chore in most households. The air causes corrosion within the radiator resulting in a build up of silt in the centre lower section of the radiator, requiring the system to be flushed out. This involves the need to remove the radiator and clean it out which can be very hideous for both the householder and Heating contractor.

The air is formed in the boiler when water temperatures exceeds 60°C / 140°F. Due to the unique patented design of the Oxyvent tank it captures the air when it leaves the boiler and releases it automatically when the system shuts down. distributing air free balanced temperature water throughout the heating system with a 33% increase in flow rate, resulting in all radiators heating evenly throughout the building and increased temperature in all rooms.

The type of heat produced by a radiator is known as convection heat transfer. The hot air forms air currants, rising up towards the ceiling and as it cools it drops towards the floor to be re-heated, leaving the hot air accumulate below the ceiling. The lower section of the room is cooler as the chilling air currants return to the bottom of the radiator to be reheated, keeping your body, especially your feet cooler and you find yourself leaving the heating on for longer periods.

With the Oxyvent Tank installed a dramatic change has taken place. The entire radiator heat at an equilibrium temperature creating a Blackbody, which gives out radiant heat. The heat travels in Electromagnetic waves travelling outwards and downwards from the radiator, heating the air close to the floor. Your body easily absorbs radiant heat, and you feel more comfortable at lower temperatures.

How to check if your radiators are heating properly:


Check the lower centre section of the radiator, It should be almost the same temperature as the top. All radiators should heat at equal temperature throughout the building.


Balancing The System

We are all familiar with closing down radiator valves at the start of a heating system to maximise heat gain from radiators further down the system.

This is done with almost every heating system, it is known as balancing the system to allow the heated water be distributed evenly among all the radiators in an attempt to get even heating throughout. There is no set rule for balancing, it is trial and error and totally up to the individual, and is accepted as normal practice with heating systems.

• The heat differential between the top and bottom of the radiator is 11
°C this is classed as an excellent system and every heating engineer worldwide strides to achieve this by balancing the system.

• With the Oxyvent Tank installed the heat differential between the top and the bottom of a radiator is only 1
°C to 2°C and no balancing required.

As an installer of heating systems, I never agreed to the balancing of systems, as it restricts the flow rate which reduces the water temperature returning to the boiler keeping it on for longer, wasting fuel.

The principle behind any heating system is to move water fast, not slow it down. The Oxyvent Tank balances all heating systems automatically, allows all radiator valves to be fully opened, distributing equal heat to all radiators at a higher temperature and with 33% greater efficiency.

Frequently asked questions

Q.
I need to bleed my radiators regularly, where does this air come from?

A.
The air is formed in the boiler as oxygen burns off at temperatures over 60°C. The air released by this process has no option but to travel from the boiler into the radiators. The Oxyvent Tank captures the air and release it automatically, not allowing it to enter the radiators. It eliminates the need to bleed radiators.

Q.
All my radiators are not heating properly and some radiators are much cooler than others?
A.
With The Oxyvent Tank installed all radiators will heat at an even temperature from top to bottom.

Q.
Can The Oxyvent Tank be installed in an existing heating system?
A.
Yes. The Oxyvent Tank can be easily installed in existing systems. It is normally installed in the hot press or near the boiler.

Q.
Will The Oxyvent Tank eliminate radiators at the end of the line not heating?
A.
Yes. All radiators will heat at an even temperature.

Q.
Is The Oxyvent Tank maintenance free?
A.
Yes. The Oxyvent Tank is maintenance free.

Q.
Has The Oxyvent Tank been tested and proven?
A.
Yes. The Oxyvent Tank has been tested by Independent companies. It is installed in homes throughout the country for the last six years with amazing results. It has been tested in laboratory conditions, but more importantly it has been tested and proven in real life situations.

Blackbody

A blackbody is defined as an object that can absorb and emits radiation heat with complete efficiency. The higher the object's temperature, the higher the frequency of the radiation it gives off.

Experts have said that there is no perfect blackbody radiator in nature, but it is possible to construct one by producing an even heat throughout a radiator, allowing the radiator to produce radiant heat. This is what Oxyvent has achieved.

Kirchhoff's law also correlates mathematically the heat radiation properties of materials
at thermal equilibrium.

Typical installation diagram of The Oxyvent Tank


Domestic Hot Water

Domestic Hot Water

The Oxyvent Tank increases the temperature of the hot water tank
by 25°C extra in 1 hour.


Shortage of domestic hot water is a common complaint in most households.

The Oxyvent Tank has a very unique way of addressing this situation. When the heated water leaves the boiler it goes to the hot water tank first when it is at its hottest. It passes through the hot water tank 33% faster heating it uniformly from top to bottom; it enters The Oxyvent Tank and is then dispatched to the heating system.

Once the hot water tank is heated it cannot cool and this is not the case with other systems. It produces twice as much hot water.

Common complaints about domestic hot water.

Q.

I have a whirlpool Bath and a 40-gallon hot water tank installed. I do not have enough hot water to fill the bath more than half way even by having the boiler on for hours. Will The Oxyvent Tank give me the hot water I require without having to get a larger hot water tank?
Q.
We have a guesthouse and having sufficient Hot water is vital to our business. We got our hot water system up graded last year and installed a large hot water tank but we are very disappointed, even though it is much improved from the previous system we still run out of hot water. Can you help?
Q.
When I switch on the heating, the hot water tank cools. This is very annoying especially in the winter when you need the heat while taking a shower or bath. Can this be sorted?
A.
Yes. These are common problems in the existing systems and can be easily solved by installing The Oxyvent Tank.


Underfloor Heating / Radiant Heat

Underfloor Heating

The Oxyvent Tank works to its maximum in underfloor heating systems.

To explain how this works we will compare an underfloor heating system pre Oxyvent Tank installation and post Cremin Tank installation

Pre Oxyvent Tank
1. Experts recommend underfloor heating systems must be constantly on or constantly off.
2. Even the very best of systems have not got uniform heat throughout the floor.
3. Patchy heat even at very high thermostatic levels.
4. Cracks in floors.
5. Due to presence of air, the system needs to be flushed out every 2 years at a minimum.
6. Poor movement of water through underfloor pipes due to air build up in system.
7. Heat up process takes approx. 2 to 3 days to reach maximum potential.
8. Resulting in huge fuel wastage due to above inefficiencies.

Post Oxyvent Tank
1. Heating system does not have to be constantly on. (Heat recovery on the floor is rapid).
2. Uniform heat guaranteed throughout the building in all rooms.
3. Even heat at much lower thermostatic levels and noticeable increase in speed
in which it is achieved.
4. Heating system will not cause cracks as the floor will heat uniformly.

5. No need to flush out the system.
6. 70% increase in movement of water through underfloor heating pipes.
7. Heat up process time greatly reduced.
8. 50% fuel saving due to efficiency of system.

 

How to check if your underfloor heating is operating properly

Have a look at the underfloor heating manifold. There should be a little glass flow meter attached to most systems, usually reading up to 4 or 5 litres as shown on diagrams above.
This shows how much water is passing through each loop of pipe buried under your floor. These flow meters are also used for balancing the system; meaning that the loop that shows higher flow rate can be cut back to maximise heat gain from other loops further down the system. You can count yourself lucky if you have 1.5 litres per minute in all loops.

As you can see in diagram 2 after installing The Oxyvent Tanks, all flow meters will read 3.5 litres. This is testimony as to why it is essential to include The Cremin Tank in all underfloor heating systems.



Flushing the air out of the system

Just remember you can bleed a radiator with a vent key to get the air out, Under floor heating must be flushed out by a professional regularly to release the trapped air. This is a process where all the water must be flushed out of the pipes under the floor and refilled with fresh water.

Flushing the trapped air out of the underfloor heating is a regular occurrence for some systems as the efficiency of the system will deteriorate unless the air is flushed out. This is time wasting and costly.

The Oxyvent Tank eliminates the need to flush the air out of the underfloor system as it capture the air and release it automatically before it gets into the underfloor heating pipes.



Underfloor heating must be the most even and comfortable heat you could install in your home. It operates where warm water is circulated under the floor of each room in a building. A network of pipes are buried in the floor, and the heat rises into the room, the floor only needs to be heated a few degrees above the desired room temperature and it gives off radiant heat which makes the human body feel more comfortable.

When you receive a greater amount
of radiant energy, you will be comfortable at a lower air temperature.

This is the ideal heating system that everybody is searching for so you may ask why haven’t we all got it in our homes.

The answer is simple, when air is present the system will not function efficiently.

I have worked on underfloor heating systems since I started my plumbing and heating career and have seen almost all the different types of systems operating.
The same problems seem to arise with most systems, air gathering, very uneven floor temperatures, and all rooms were not reaching the required temperature settings and customers were constantly complaining of high operating costs.

I continued my research doing constant tests to improve underfloor heating and found that it took the heated water 20 minutes to travel through the net work of pipe in the floor and return to be reheated. I could not believe what I was witnessing; it just did not make sense as the water travelling through the floor was only reheated 3 times in the hour. The other problem that also stood out was the extreme high heat on some patches of the floor and other parts cool to the touch. This was most confusing as we are led to believe that the water entering the floor is at a low temperature. In theory if this is the case all the floor area heated should be the same temperature, give or take a couple of degree and not up to 40
°C differential in some cases.

Most underfloor heating companies recommend to operate the system 24 hours a day every day this is due to the fact that if you switch off the system for long periods of time it takes hours or even days to build up room temperatures again. The Oxyvent Tank eliminates this problem as the water travelling through the floor is reheated every 5 minutes, 12 times in the hour.

Whilst re-visiting customers with underfloor heating systems that were operating 24 hours a day we discovered the following.

After installing The Oxyvent Tank they all had much the same operating times. In the winter they normally had their system operating for between 8 to 10 hours a day, they had higher room temperatures and the fuel bills were reduced by 70%

It does not make sense to install underfloor heating without the Oxyvent system. In a new installation it pays for itself in less than one year. Get The Oxyvent Tank installed in your system, remember it is you that pays the fuel bill.

Two Oxyvent tanks are required for most underfloor heating systems. If you require further information, please contact Oxyvent.

Questions frequently asked by householders

Q.

What is the ideal underfloor heating system and how should it operate?
A.
When the system is installed air should never again enter it.
The rooms should heat in a few hours not days. All the floors should heat at an even temperature, no hot or cold spots. It should operate like the conventional system turn it on and have heat almost instantly any time you want it.

Q.
Must I operate my underfloor heating for 24 hours a day?
A.
No. The floors will heat up four times faster and there is no need to have the heating on at night, as the recovery time is rapid.

Q.
All our floors get very hot in patches and we find that this can be very tiring and uncomfortable to our feet.
A.
All the floors temperature are even and is only a few degree above the required room temperature.

Q.
I notice that the heating deteriorates with time and I have to get my plumber in to flush out the air from my underfloor heating system. Will The Oxyvent Tank eliminate this problem?
A.
Yes as the air is prevented from entering the underfloor heating pipes you will have a trouble free maintenance free system. Saving you hundreds of euro on call out charges.

Q.
I have two rooms in my house that will not heat over 17
°C and I have my heating on 24 hours a day every day. Will The Oxyvent Tank sort this?
A.
Yes. this is one of the most common problems we encounter due to the slow movement of water travelling through the floors. By increasing the flow of water through the system room temperatures will increase.

Q.
I switch off my heating during the summer and when I switched it on it took 72 hours to get the rooms to a comfortable temperature. If I install The Oxyvent Tanks will the temperatures increase quicker.
A.
You will notice an increase in temperature within the first 2 to 3 hours and will have comfortable temperatures within 8 to 12 hours.

Q.
I was advised to leave my underfloor heating on all year round and to lower the stat temperature in the summer.
A.
This is a very uneconomical way to operate any system in an era where we are trying to reduce fuel bills and carbon dioxide emissions. Due to the decrease in temperatures during the nights even in the summer this may cause your underfloor heating to operate even though you do not require heat. Due to the rapid heat recovery with The Oxyvent Tank you can switch off your heating during the summer and also have it off at night as you will get an instant response and have heat within a couple of hours if required.

Q.
My underfloor heating system has a 100% oxygen tight pipe and was fully flushed and vented after installation so air is simply not an issue?
A.
The air is formed from water within the system. It will accumulate and lodge in the underfloor heating pipe as part of the natural process of heating water and will have no means of escape without The Oxyvent Tank.

Q.
The burner in the boiler seems to run constantly when the underfloor heating is operating, is this normal?
A.
Yes. Because the water returning from the floor to the boiler is at a low temperature, keeping the burner on. With The Oxyvent Tank installed it raises the temperatures returning to the boiler, therefore the burner is on less time.

Q.
I paid my plumber €300.00 last year to get rid of the air in my underfloor heating system, he recommended that this should be repeated every 1 to 2 years. If I install the Oxyvent Tanks will this process be eliminated?
A.
Yes. As the air is captured in The Oxyvent Tank it is not allowed to enter the underfloor heating pipe saving you financially and also the task of repeated maintenance.

 

Boilers

The key to an efficient boiler is to have as close as possible balance in temperature within the boiler. The Oxyvent Tank balances the temperature
within the boiler.

The boiler is the source where the air is formed.


Air is formed in the boiler once the temperature goes over 60°C/140°F, therefore every time you switch on your boiler air is formed no matter what the type of central heating system you have.

*The most important factor when choosing a boiler is to have the heating output of your house calculated correctly. If your boiler is not sized properly it will lead to other problems and will be inefficient to operate.

When The Oxyvent Tank is installed, boiler temperatures can be reduced to achieve the same if not higher room temperatures. Every degree you lower your boiler temperature stat. you save fuel.

The water temperature in the boiler must be at a balanced temperature to save fuel. This can not be achieved without The Oxyvent Tank. As the water is heated in the boiler, the heated water will rise to the top section of the boiler. The cold water returning from the heating system enters the bottom section of the boiler. The differential in temperature will not allow the water to blend, a vapour barrier forms at the point where hot and cold meets. It can take several hours for a system temperature to balance, this is when your system looses most of its efficiency and becomes costly to operate. For this reason several heating experts recommend leaving your heating on constantly. Surely this is not an economical or environmentally friendly way to operate your heating system.




Dual boilers

Due to energy awareness it is now becoming common for householders to combine systems e.g. solid fuel with other heat sources. It is virtually impossible to combine boilers and get them to function properly without the use of The Oxyvent Tank, as it allows each boiler to operate independently.

The most common problems are:
• Pitching meaning casting steam or hot water into the expansion tank in the attic causing condensation in the roof of the building.
• Noises in the solid fuel boiler when the water heats up.
• Water boiling in the solid fuel boiler.
• One boiler heating when solid fuel is operating and vice versa.

The Oxyvent Tank resolves the above problems

One or more boilers can be connected to The Oxyvent Tank and detailed installation diagrams provided. Should you have any concerns please contact Oxyvent and we will be pleased to advise.




Oil & Gas Cookers
It was in working with oil cookers that the idea of The Oxyvent Tank originated. I discovered they were notoriously inefficient and it was virtually impossible to regulate the temperatures of the cooker. The water constantly boiling in the cookers boiler resulting in over heating and having to dump this heated water into the elements of the system such as radiators etc. The Oxyvent Tank increases flow rate, moving the water out of the boiler as fast as possible, controlling the cookers temperature and prevents the dumping of heated water, eliminating the necessity of having a radiator or underfloor heating on when cooker is operating.

This results in excellent baking and cooking properties, with a 50% fuel saving.

 


Installation


The Oxyvent Tank is the most cost effective and energy efficient product available.
When you consider the benefits and fuel saving it can easily be seen that The Oxyvent Tank will recoup its cost in a relatively short time.

The Oxyvent Tank can be ordered directly from Oxyvent Limited and delivered to your door. We supply direct in order to give a good customer service and detailed drawings for any unusual situation. A full installation manual comes with The Oxyvent Tank. If there is any situation not covered in the manual please contact Oxyvent directly and we will be pleased to advise on all matters.

The Oxyvent Tank is suitable for Oil, gas, and solid fuel, geothermal, radiators, and underfloor heating.


Typical installation diagram of The Oxyvent Tank

The Oxyvent Tank is installed near the boiler/in the hot press or in a suitable position available.



Installation
The Oxyvent Tank is easy to install and is placed at the centre of the heating systems where flow and return pipes from the boiler, radiators, domestic hot water tank etc meet.
The Oxyvent Tank clearly identifies where each pipe is connected. It is a matter of connecting each pipe to it proper port, it is as easy as that.

The Oxyvent Tank is suitable for all houses, pressurised and open vented systems with a maximum working pressure of 3 bar.

Dimensions: 375mm high x 295mm sq. (15" x 12")
Weight: 28 Kg
Output: 150,000 BTU/Hr - 43.95kw

If a higher output is required please contact Oxyvent.
There are many types of heating system arrangements available (including combined systems). Should you have any doubts or concerns please contact Oxyvent and we will be pleased to advise.
It is the policy of Oxyvent Limited to offer a quality service to our customers and provide a full backup service to installers. If any problem arises feel free to contact our team of qualified Heating Engineers for assistance.

The Oxyvent Tank is designed to zone your heating system properly to conserve energy. It has three zones
on the standard tank e.g.
Zone 1 - Domestic Hot Water
Zone 2 - Living Area
Zone 3 - Bedrooms

Where extra zones are required please contact Oxyvent.



News & Reviews

The Oxyvent Tank was officially launched in September 2002 by Ireland's most popular architect and TV presenter, Duncan Stewart.

Tim Cremin, the inventor of The Oxyvent Tank received a silver medal for his invention at the Salon Internationale Des Inventions, Geneva, Switzerland in April 2001.

The Oxyvent Tank was seen on RTE Television programs 'Nationwide' on the 17th April 2002 and 'About the House' on the 12th November 2002. Joe Duffy interviewed Tim on his popular national radio show 'Liveline'. Tim and Mae Cremin were also interviewed on numerous radio stations throughout the country. These had a huge impact on sales nationwide.

Oxyvent featured on RTE's "Show Me The Money", Sunday 6th May 2007 and displayed a test on national TV, where the temperature differential between the top and bottom of a radiator was only 1
°C. The standard heating systems without the Oxyvent Tank installed has temperature difference of 11°C. This 1-degree temperature difference has never been achieved before. It is a tribute to the Oxyvent Tank to be able to display a test publicly in a manner that is understood by all, and shows why the Oxyvent Tank is proving to be an essential component in all heating systems. Bearing in mind we need to keep fuel consumption to the absolute minimum, anybody who installs an Oxyvent Tank to their heating system will be helping to achieve this and also see a substantial saving on their heating bills while increasing room temperatures and domestic hot water.

 


Oxyvent Ltd.,
Headford, Killarney, Co. Kerry. Ireland.
Ph. +353 64 54449   |   Fax +353 64 54972   |   e-mail info@oxyvent.com