FlexEJ’s range of high grade, stainless steel, DHW buffer vessels.
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On all stock items ordered.
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Design & Manufacturing
Full in-house design & manufacture to EN / ASME / PED.
ISO14001 Accreditation
FlexEJ has an accredited Environmental Management System.
FlexEJ's DHW Buffer Vessels
250l DHW
500l DHW
750l DHW
1000l DHW
PRODUCT GUIDES
BUFFER VESSELS
WHAT IS A DHW COMMERCIAL BUFFER VESSEL?
A QUICK OVERVIEW…
OVERVIEW
High-grade 316 stainless steel storage vessel offering increased capacity within a commercial hot water system.
Application
Hot water systems (DHW / HWS) supplied directly with Hot Water.
Rating
10 barg at 110°C.
WARRANTY
FlexEJ buffer vessels have a 5 year operating warranty.
How do Commercial Buffer Vessels work?
A buffer vessel is designed store hot water – it is not a “calorifier”, so not designed to heat the volume of water within it. The buffer vessel is thus designed to be supplied directly with hot water.
The buffer allows the hot feed rate to be less than the DHW draw rate for a period, the volume being chosen to be adequate for peak draw.
The hot water feed will be heated directly by a heat source or indirectly by a heat exchanger , such as the FlexEJ PhexPak Packaged Plate Heat Exchanger.
FlexEJ’s range of DHW Buffer Vessels
The FlexEJ Buffer Vessel range is designed to offer additional capacity and capability to any commercial hot water system. Designed and manufactured in the UK, entirely from 316 stainless steel, this product offers high quality, and real value for money.
The buffers complement our PhexPak packaged plate heat exchanger range, the PhexPak being an ideal source of hot water heated indirectly from any suitable heat source.
The standard range of buffer vessels are available in 4 nominal capacities; 250l, 500l, 750l, and 1000l. We can also bespoke design and manufacture buffer vessels to meet your needs where the standard range isn’t a suitable fit, or the capacity required is greater than 1000l.
How to size a DHW Commercial Buffer Vessel
Below is a typical schematic of a buffer vessel based DHW system. The size of the buffer vessel(s) required is based on :
• Hot feed rate and rise time
• DHW maximum design draw rate
• Allowable DHW temperature variation
The hot feed rate depends directly on the kW size of the heat source and its availability. A heat source that is at times of DHW demand starting up from “cold” or is supplying other loads will require a larger buffer capacity to maintain DHW supply.
The maximum DHW draw rate is calculated according to the design standard adopted for the project. This is generally done by estimating the maximum probable concurrent usage given the type of building, numbers / types of outlet and predicated time based usage.
The size of heat source and buffer storage volume can the be optimised for both installed cost and operating energy consumption.
Typical installation only : Compliance with building regulations, water by-laws and any other applicable standards must be checked and adhered to prior to installation.
FlexEJ’s Commercial Buffer Vessels
250L to 1000L as standard – or bespoke
FlexEJ is a long established pressure equipment manufacturer based in the West Midlands. We design and manufacture buffer vessels in-house.
FlexEJ buffer vessels are dimensionally consistent and carefully constructed.
We have a long history of pressure vessel manufacture and can design and manufacture much larger buffer vessels to order. Let us know your requirements and we will be happy to help.
Buffer Vessel Insulation
Flexible, removeable, high performance
The insulation jackets we offer are constructed from silicon coated glass fibre cloth and ceramic fibre insulation.
This construction means that the jacket is not adhered to the buffer vessel – it is fully removable to aid inspection, upgrade and eventual recycling.
Our approach also allows us to offer insulation jackets tailored to specific performance requirements as a special.
DHW Systems and Buffer Vessels
The FlexEJ commercial heating product range combines together to provide a complete DHW system.
Contact us for help and advice, we will be pleased to discuss your project and alternative solutions.
Can't see what you want? Need help?
Call us. Or use Live Chat.
For instant advice. We can custom-design and engineer almost any expansion joint you need for delivery in the UK or worldwide. Call our expert team on +44 (0) 1384 881188 Or email us sales@flexej.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
A. We would recommend using the FlexEJ PhexPak as it provides isolation and control in one convenient package.
A. Yes, there is a 2½” connection on top to accommodate up to the largest size commercial TPRVs.