AERCO MLX EXT 450 2S Modulex EXT Series Modulating Condensing Hot Water Boilers User Guide
- June 4, 2024
- AERCO
Table of Contents
MLX EXT 450 2S Modulex EXT Series Modulating Condensing Hot Water Boilers
User Guide
Modulex EXT Series
Modulating Condensing Hot Water Boilers
LIGHT COMMERCIAL MODELS:
- MLX EXT 450 2S
- MLX EXT 600 2S
- MLX EXT 800 2S
- MLX EXT 1100 2S
COMMERCIAL MODELS:
- MLX EXT 1500 2S
- MLX EXT 2300 2S
- MLX EXT 2600 2S
- MLX EXT 3000 2S
Disclaimer
The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice
from AERCO International, Inc. AERCO makes no warranty of any kind with
respect to this material, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular application. AERCO International
is not liable for errors appearing in this manual or for incidental or
consequential damages occurring in connection with the furnishing,
performance, or use of these materials.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
AERCO Modulex EXT gas-fired boilers are modulating input boilers that require an adequate volume and pressure of natural or propane gas for proper operation. The gas requirements specified herein must be satisfied for efficient combustion. Designers and installers must adhere to the specifications of AERCO and of the local authorities having jurisdiction. A thorough understanding and knowledge of these guidelines is required for the successful design and installation of Modulex EXT boilers.
GAS TRAIN COMPONENTS
The Modulex EXT is a cast aluminum body boiler consisting of mutually connected combustion chambers, each having its own gas train (gas valve, pre- combustion chamber, and burner), blower, and an air pressure switch, check valve, igniter, flame detector. Each group of these components is referred to as a module. The gas train components have been designed to operate at high combustion and seasonal efficiencies by closely controlling both the volume and air/fuel mixture to the burner. Below are descriptions of each of the gas train components for each module.
- GAS VALVE – An electronic, modulating gas valve with 100% tight shutoff. It controls the amount of gas delivered to the burner.
- PRE-COMBUSTION CHAMBER – A plastic chamber mounted to the blower, where combustion air and gas mix prior to entering the burner, providing controlled combustion. The outlet of the chamber leads to a check valve, which prevents any backflow of combustion gases.
- LOW NOx BURNER – A metal fiber mesh covering a stainless steel burner head on which combustion occurs. The burner operation is stable throughout the entire input range of the boiler.
NOTE: The optimum gas pressure for the Modulex EXT boiler is 7.0” W.C. However, the Modulex EXT boiler can be safely operated at pressures ranging from 3.5” W.C. to 10.5” W.C.
GAS PRESSURE REQUIREMENTS
AERCO Modulex EXT boilers require a stable gas input pressure. The inlet supply to the unit must be at least 3.5 “ W.C. when firing at maximum input. A minimum supply gas pressure switch prevents the boiler from operating without sufficient pressure. Maximum allowable gas pressure is 10.5” W.C. Static gas pressure (when the unit is not firing) may vary, however actual gas pressure should be measured when the unit is in operation (firing). Measure the gas pressure with a manometer at the port provided in the inlet manifold. In multiple boiler installations, gas pressure should initially be set for a single boiler in operation and then the remaining boilers should be staged on at full fire to ensure that gas pressures never fall below the minimum allowable pressure of 3.5” W.C.
An external gas pressure regulator is mandatory for the State of Massachusetts, regardless of supply pressure; for all other jurisdictions, a lock-up style regulator is required when supply pressure is greater than 10.5” W.C. (see Fig. 1). The regulator must be installed with at least 2 feet of pipe between the regulator and the unit gas inlet. The regulator discharge range must be able to maintain 3.5” W.C. Gas regulators are self-contained with tapped diaphragm vent ports allowing the diaphragm to change its position. These vents typically require piping to the outside.
Every Modulex boiler requires a manual shutoff valve. CSA requires that no other components can be installed between the boiler and this shutoff valve except for pipe fittings such as a pipe union. If an external regulator is used, an additional isolation/service valve must be installed upstream of the regulator (see Figure 1). Gas piping should contain ground unions for removal of the gas piping to the unit for maintenance or service as required. Gas piping should never obstruct the removal of the unit side panels and should not be supported by the unit itself. Gas piping should be supported properly from the floor or overhead as the installation allows.
CAUTION!
The AERCO Modulex EXT boilers must be isolated from the system when leak
testing.
Drip legs are typically required at the gas supply of each unit to prevent any
dirt, weld slag, or debris from entering the boiler gas train inlet pipe. When
multiple units are installed, some utilities and local codes require a full
size drip leg on the main gas supply line in addition to the drip leg at each
unit.
The bottom of the gas drip leg(s) should be removable without disassembling
any gas piping. The weight of the gas pipe should not be supported from the
bottom of the drip leg. The drip leg(s) should not be used to support any or
part of the gas piping.
GAS PIPING
All gas piping and components must comply with NFPA local codes and utility
requirement minimums.
Only gas-approved fittings, valves, or pipes should be utilized.
Standard industry practice for gas piping is Schedule 40 iron pipe and
fittings. All high and low-gas-pressure piping systems must comply with local
utility and building codes.
Assembled piping should be clean of all debris, pipe chips, or foreign
material to prevent any from entering the Modulex boiler gas trains. Piping
should be tested as prescribed in NFPA 54. Equipment should be isolated before
testing any piping system over the allowable pressure. DO NOT EXCEED 10.5” W.
C. on the inlet side of the Modulex boiler at any time.
GAS SUPPLY MAIN SIZING
The fuel supplier, or utility, should be consulted to confirm that sufficient volume and normal pressure is provided to the building at the discharge side of the gas meter or supply pipe. For existing installations with gas equipment, gas pressure should be measured with a manometer to ensure sufficient pressure is available. Before sizing gas piping, a survey of all connected gas devices should be made. Gas piping supplying more than one gas device must be able to handle the total connected input within the allowable gas pressure drop. The allowable minimum and maximum gas pressure for each device should be considered. Whenever the minimum and maximum gas pressures vary between devices, gas pressure regulators at each unit should be installed to allow regulation at any individual unit. Gas pressure must never exceed the maximum allowable rating of any connected device.
The total length of gas piping, as well as the fitting pressure drop, must be considered when sizing the gas piping. The total equivalent length should be calculated from the meter or source location to the last unit connected. Gas piping Table 1 , containing data extracted from NFPA 54, should be used as a minimum guideline. Gas pipe size should be selected on the total equivalent length from the table. The gas volume for cfh flow will be the input divided by the calorific value of the fuel to be supplied.
TABLE 1: Gas Supply Main Piping Minimum Size Requirements
Nominal
Iron Pipe
Size| Maximum Capacity of Pipe in Cubic Feet of Gas / Hour
(Gas pressure = 0.5 psig or less, pressure drop = 0.5 inches of W.C.)
(Natural Gas with Specific Gravity of 0.60)
Length of pipe in feet
10′| 20′| 30′| 40′| 60′| 80′| 100′
1.1/4″| 1.390| 957| 768| 657| 528| 452| 400
1.1/2″| 2,090| 1,430| 1,150| 985| 791| 677| 600
2″| 4,020| 2,760| 2,220| 1,900| 1,520| 1,300| 1,160
2.1/2″| 6,400| 4,400| 3,530| 3,020| 2,430| 2,080| 1,840
3″| 11,300| 7.780| 6,250| 5,350| 4,290| 3,670| 3,260
4″| 23,100| 15,900| 12.700| 10,900| 8,760| 7,490| 6,640
5″| 41,800| 28,700| 23.000| 19.700| 15,800| 13.600| 12.000
NOTE: For further information refer to National Fuel Gas Code Handbook, ANSI Z223.1.
GAS HEADER SIZING
Main supply gas pipe sizing should be developed for the total plant. Boiler gas manifold piping should be sized based on the volume requirements and lengths between boilers and the fuel main. Header sizes can be either full- size or stepped-in size as units are connected. A typical gas piping header diagram for two AERCO Modulex boilers is illustrated in Figure 2. Header should be located above or behind the boiler. Gas piping should not be installed directly over top or front of any part of the boiler.
Ensure proper clearances for maintenance. Piping should not interfere with the removal of the unit’s sheet metal nor impede maintenance. Observe service clearances around the boiler as listed below and as shown in Figures 3, 4, and 5:
EXT 450 2S, 600 2S, 800 2S and 1100 2S
- TOP of the boiler: 24‘‘ (600 mm)
- FRONT of the boiler: 24’’ (600 mm)
- RIGHT side: 24’’ (600 mm)
- LEFT side: 24’’ (600 mm)
- FLOOR/GROUND: 4’’ (100 mm)
- BACK of the boiler: 24’’ (600 mm)
EXT 1500 2S, 2300 2S, 2600 2S and 3000 2S
- TOP of the boiler: 24‘‘ (600 mm)
- FRONT of the boiler: 24’’ (600 mm)
- Exhaust vent side: 32’’ (600 mm)
- All non-vented sides: 24’’ (600 mm)
- FLOOR/GROUND: 4’’ (100 mm)
NOTE: Standard locations for components/connections are on the right-hand
side. Dotted lines show alternate flue locations.
For EXT 1500 2S-3000 2S (Figure 4), use 32” (81.28mm) for the vent flue at any
side as needed, and 24” (60.96mm) for all others.
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