Gas Patio Heater Regulator
If you're planning to warm inside the cold winter air with a propane patio heater, you need to understand how to use this appliance. Matthew Griffith, chief of the prevention division of Montreal's Fire Department suggests that customers be looking for products that have safety certifications.
It's also crucial to ensure that there are no nearby combustible objects and that the patio heater is securely attached.
Pressure Regulator
Gas regulators are essentially mechanical appliances that we use in our vehicles and homes every day without even giving them a second thought. Their invention made 135 years ago changed the way natural gas and propane are used for heating, cooking and oxyfuel welding. There are many variations in regulator design, however their fundamental function is the same. commercial gas patio heaters uses an element that detects pressure, usually a dialythm made of fabric, to regulate a valve plug's position and restrict the flow of gas.
The diaphragm connects to the stem of the valve using rods that go through the set spring, through the diaphragm before entering the valve. This mechanism detects gas pressure inside the house or pipeline and adjusts the valve plug's position to meet the demand. As the consumption of gas in the home decreases, so does the pressure between regulator and house. This causes the diaphragm of the regulator to decrease in size, and then it pushes the valve plug closer to the orifice, which limits flow. As the gas demand increases in the home, the valve opens more, thereby increasing the flow.
The valve plug stays closed until the demand for the house decreases. This opens the valve to increase the flow. This process, referred to as"sizing," is the primary operation of the regulator.
As the valve opens, a pressure is built up in the main chamber of the regulator, which is attached to the outlet port of the hose via the venturi tube (see the image). This pressure can be adjusted by turning the handle or screw located on the outside regulator. When the screw is turned counterclockwise, it raises the pressure. If it is turned clockwise, it decreases the pressure.
When choosing a regulator for pressure take into consideration that the nominal maximum and minimum pressure is determined by commercial standards and not the pressure of the gas in the supply line. The regulator must be compatible with your hose. Look for a hose labeled whistle-free. It should have alternating rings of different sizes. This will stop resonant noises from building along the length.
Thermocouple
Thermocouples are based upon the idea that two different metals that are in contact at one end create a voltage potential, even when they are at different temperatures. They are used to determine temperatures that differ between points of an electrical circuit and convert that information into an electronic signal that can be read by a thermocouple gauge or other instrument. Thermocouples are superior to other sensors, like thermostors. They can measure extremely high temperatures and function in corrosive conditions.
A pair of different metals are connected to one end of the sensor to form the measuring (aka hot) junction, while the other is kept at a fixed temperature, known as the reference (aka cold) junction. Thermocouples are passive devices, which means they don't require power in order to function. The voltage generated is proportional to the temperature difference between the measuring and reference junctions. Thermocouple manufacturers as well as metrology standards organizations like NIST provide tables of reference for the function E (T) displaystyle scriptstyle e(T) for each specific thermocouple type.
There are three main kinds of thermocouple junctions: an exposed, grounded, and wire that is welded. The type of junction that is exposed extends out of the protective sheath and has the fastest response. commercial gas patio heaters grounded is recommended for testing in corrosive environments. A thermocouple that is welded is physically separated from the sheath by using mgO powder. This stops moisture or gas from penetrating and causing problems.
A thermocouple that is welded comes with the added benefit of being more resistant to vibration. It is recommended to use it in harsh environments that have pressures up to 3000 psi. When a thermocouple is damaged, it's typically caused by a lack in polarity. If the sheath hasn't been polarized, both ends of the thermocouple could have different voltages at their junction for measurement. This can lead to an inaccurate reading or even damage to the instrument. A defective thermocouple may result from an incorrectly calibrated or installed sensor.
Thermostat
Gas patio heaters in contrast to electric heaters that are wired to the wall, are portable and are powered by natural gas or propane. Thermostats regulate the flow of energy into these cylinders to ensure that they don't overflow but still provide heat as needed. The thermostat accomplishes this by detecting the temperature of the air that passes over it. The thermostat can also detect when the room is at a temperature that is comfortable and shuts off the heating.
The most common type of thermostat is one that is digital. It utilizes a microcontroller that converts a changing electrical resistance into a measure of temperature. It can do this more accurately than the older mercury switch thermostats that used an mercury coil with three wires that would change according to temperature. This allowed it to tilt a mercury switch that was connected to the electrical circuit of an air conditioning or heater unit, and turn it on or off.
A mechanical thermostat is a different kind. The thermostat is activated when the wax inside the small cylinder begins to melt, which is about 180 degrees F. (Different thermostats have different opening temperatures). A rod that is connected to the valve presses into the wax and opens the valve when it's hot. As the room cools, the wax expands, and the rod is pulled back into the cylinder, thereby shutting the valve.
There are thermostats that can be programmed to alter at different times during the day. This lets you reduce energy consumption by setting your heating to come off and on when you are at work or sleeping, rather than being constantly on. You can also set your thermostat to turn on sooner to ensure that you arrive home to a comfortable temperature. Thermostats usually have a feature called a heat anticipator, which prevents the heater from coming on too early. This is because parts of the home often reach the set temperature before the thermostat itself.
Pilot Light
Many newer homes, heating systems and furnaces have done away entirely with pilot lights. However older homes still make use of them to ignite gas in the burner chamber. It is important to know how to safely to relight the pilot light in case it ever fails.
A pilot light creates tiny flames that heat the thermocouple. This produces electricity and holds the gas valve open. When the pilot flame stops the thermocouple cools and stops producing electricity, closing the valve. Pilot lights are found on the majority of propane and natural gas appliances, such as water heaters.
Relighting a pilot light requires that you first turn off the gas valve in the appliance. The next step is to take out any doors or panels that may be blocking the access to the pilot light. Find the pilot light tube and follow the procedure printed on the back of the appliance to open it. After you've relit the pilot switch, turn the knob of the gas valve back to "on".
The main reason to leave a pilot light on is for safety reasons. If you accidentally shut off the pilot light, the gas constantly venting from the tube can build up in your home until an electric spark or static charge ignites the gas and triggers an explosive explosion. The tubes designed for pilots have a built-in cutoff valve that can keep this from happening.
Apart from the safety concerns the burning of a pilot light also consumes an enormous amount of energy. A pilot light burns between $7 to $18 worth of gas each month, according to different studies. The wasted fuel creates a greater burden on the air conditioner during the summer. Pilot lights can attract spiders which can spin webs, and clog the pilot tubes. A flame that is constant can release small amounts of the compound Mercaptan which is responsible for the smell of rotten eggs in natural gas. If you're ever concerned about these issues, consider purchasing a gas fire with a remote control or replacing your fireplace with a more efficient and modern-day model.