The provided manual describes the Thermino® Heat Battery, an innovative, super-compact heat storage system based on Plentigrade® phase-change materials (PCM), manufactured by Sunamp. These heat batteries are designed to provide domestic potable hot water and can be integrated into various heating systems.
Function Description
The Thermino® Heat Battery functions as a thermal energy storage unit, utilizing phase-change materials (PCM) to store and release heat. Unlike traditional hot water tanks that store water directly, the Thermino® Heat Battery stores energy in a solid-to-liquid phase transition within the PCM. This allows for a more compact design and efficient energy storage. The system is designed to be charged by an external heat source, such as a hydronic circuit, and then discharge this heat to the mains water flow, providing instantaneous hot water on demand. The heat exchanger within the battery transfers thermal energy from the PCM to the mains water flowing through it.
The Thermino® Heat Battery is suitable for various applications, including water heating, space heating, and combined space and water heating. It offers a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional hot water cylinders.
Important Technical Specifications
The Thermino® Heat Battery comes in several models: Thermino 20, Thermino 40, Thermino 60, and Thermino 80, each with varying capacities and dimensions.
General Specifications:
- Heat Battery Type: Utilizes Plentigrade® P58 Phase-Change Material (PCM) with a phase transition temperature (TPCM-PT) of 136.4°F (58°C).
- Maximum Working Pressure: 145 PSI / 10 Bar.
- Minimum Mains Supply Pressure: 22 PSI / 1.5 Bar at the inlet of the Heat Battery.
- Recommended Hot Water Flow Rate: Ranges from 1.6 Gal/min (6 L/min) for Thermino 20 to 6.6 Gal/min (25 L/min) for Thermino 80.
- Water Content (total): Ranges from 0.80 Gal (3.6 L) for Thermino 20 to 2.82 Gal (12.8 L) for Thermino 80.
- Thermal Content at Rated Conditions (BTU/kWh): Ranges from 11940 (3.5) for Thermino 20 to 47770 (14) for Thermino 80.
- Equivalent Hot Water Cylinder Size: Ranges from 19 Gal (71 L) for Thermino 20 to 75 Gal (284 L) for Thermino 80.
- V40, Volume of Hot Water Available at 40°C: Ranges from 22 Gal (85 L) for Thermino 20 to 98 Gal (370 L) for Thermino 80.
- Standby Heat Loss Rate: Ranges from 65 (19) for Thermino 20 to 116 (34) for Thermino 80.
- Maximum Charging Flow Temperature: TCH-IN-MAX is 176°F (80°C).
- Minimum Charging Flow Temperature: TCH-IN-MIN is 149°F (65°C).
- Temperature Sensors: TDK NTC Thermistor, 10 kΩ, B57863S Series, 3988 K.
Dimensions and Weights (Net and Gross):
- Thermino 20:
- Length: 22 5/8 in (575 mm)
- Width: 14 3/8 in (365 mm)
- Height: 15 5/16 in (389 mm)
- Net Weight: 58 kg (128 lb)
- Gross Weight: 62 kg (137 lb)
- Thermino 40:
- Length: 22 5/8 in (575 mm)
- Width: 14 3/8 in (365 mm)
- Height: 23 1/4 in (590 mm)
- Net Weight: 109 kg (240 lb)
- Gross Weight: 116 kg (256 lb)
- Thermino 60:
- Length: 22 5/8 in (575 mm)
- Width: 14 3/8 in (365 mm)
- Height: 32 1/8 in (816 mm)
- Net Weight: 159 kg (351 lb)
- Gross Weight: 170 kg (375 lb)
- Thermino 80:
- Length: 22 5/8 in (575 mm)
- Width: 14 3/8 in (365 mm)
- Height: 39 3/8 in (1001 mm)
- Net Weight: 199 kg (439 lb)
- Gross Weight: 212 kg (467 lb)
Hydronic Circuits: The Thermino Heat Batteries have two independent hydronic circuits:
- Primary Circuit (A-B): For charging the Heat Battery via an external heat source.
- Secondary Circuit (C-D): For discharging the Heat Battery for potable hot water production.
Safety Features:
- Temperature Cut-off Devices: These batteries are factory fitted with high temperature safety cut-off devices. If a heat source delivers hot water greater than 185°F (85°C), a suitable energy cut-off device set at 185°F (85°C) maximum must be fitted in the charging circuit to prevent charging above its maximum permitted temperature.
- Local Code-Compliant Hot Water Tempering Valves: Should be fitted at the outlet from the Heat Battery to deliver hot water between 113°F and 131°F (45°C and 55°C).
- Pressure Relief Valves: For expansion vessel sizing and pressure relief valves, refer to product data label.
Usage Features
Installation:
- Indoor Use Only: The product is suitable for indoor installations in a frost-free environment.
- Orientation: DO NOT tilt the product more than 45 degrees during the transportation or installation process.
- Mounting: Install the product on a hard, solid, level surface that supports its weight.
- Connections: Use detachable hose sets to connect the system to water mains. All soldering, welding, or brazing must be performed on tubes detached from the Heat Battery.
- Hydronic Connections: The potable cold water inlet connects to Port D, the heat source flow connects to Port B, the heat source return connects to Port C, and the hot water outlet connects to Port A.
- Cable Entry: Cable entries are provided for temperature sensors and control wiring.
Operation:
- Charging: The Heat Battery is charged when the charging circuit flow temperature (TCH-IN) is greater than or equal to TCH-IN-MIN and less than or equal to TCH-IN-MAX.
- Discharging: The Heat Battery can be activated when the sensor temperature (TS2) is less than the PCM-PT temperature.
- Hot Water Delivery: The system provides instantaneous hot water on demand, with the output temperature regulated by a tempering valve.
Troubleshooting:
- Appliance does not deliver hot water or insufficient hot water: Possible causes include fault on an external heat source, external heat source flow temperature too low/high, or the Heat Battery not charged sufficiently. Solutions involve referring to the external heat source manual, ensuring correct flow temperatures, and checking the status of the energy cut-off device.
- Water leak: Possible causes include Heat Battery elbow joints damaged or not fully engaged. Solutions involve checking copper tubes for damage, removing, checking, and replacing if necessary.
- Flowrate from the appliance is lower than expected: Possible causes include air trapped in the system or incoming water pressure too low. Solutions involve checking mains supply valve, de-airing and purging, and measuring incoming pressure.
- TMV setting too low: Increase the TMV setting to match a temperature output between 113°F and 131°F (45°C and 55°C).
Maintenance Features
General Maintenance:
- Regular Maintenance: The product does NOT require any regular maintenance.
- Water Hardness: In areas where the mains water hardness exceeds 150 ppm total hardness, a scale-reducing device must be fitted.
- Expansion Vessel: The air pressure in the expansion vessel should be checked every 2-3 years and topped up if necessary.
Removal of Lid:
- The lid of the Heat Battery is fixed to the outer case using 2 x M5 Button Head cap screws. These can be undone using a 3mm hexagonal Allen key.
- To remove the lid, first lift the lid forward, then slide it forward, and finally lift it off.
Cleaning:
- The product does not require any regular cleaning.
- Should the product exterior become dirty, it can be wiped down with a damp cloth and a mild detergent after having been isolated from the electricity supply. Let the product dry before reconnecting.
Warranty:
- Information regarding product warranty can be found on the Sunamp website: www.sunamp.com/warranty.
Recycling and Disposal:
- Sunamp recommends that Thermino® products are recycled. The PCM material is non-toxic and non-flammable and can be disposed of in line with local codes.
Safety Precautions:
- WARNING: Read and understand the manual before installation. Improper installation, adjustment, alteration, service, or maintenance can cause property damage, injury, and death.
- Qualified Personnel: ONLY competent persons who are suitably qualified to carry out plumbing and electrical work may undertake installations, repairs, or relocations.
- No User-Serviceable Parts: There are no user-serviceable, adjustable, or settable parts in this product.
- DO NOT immerse: Do not immerse this product in water or any other liquid.
- DO NOT stack: Do not stack the Heat Batteries directly on top of each other.
- Hot Water Hazard: Water temperatures over 125°F / 50°C can cause severe burns instantly or death from scalds. The outlet temperature must be set accordingly as per this manual.
- PCM Containment: No access to the PCM containment is required at any time. All fault-finding and fault-remediation works, therefore, need to be carried out by a competent person. Breaching the PCM containment will void the warranty of the product.
- Excessive Heat: Applying excessive heat to the system tubes will cause damage to the Heat Battery and its internal components. All connected tubes should be insulated for at least 1m from their connection points with the Heat Battery.
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