Gas Patio Heater Regulator
If you're planning to warm inside the cold winter air with a propane patio heater, it's important to understand how to make use of this device. Matthew Griffith, prevention section chief of Montreal's fire department, advised that customers should choose products that are safe to use.
The patio heater needs to be properly connected and there shouldn't be combustible material nearby.
Pressure Regulator
Gas regulators are simple mechanical devices that we use in our cars and homes every day without even giving them a second thought. Their invention, which was first introduced 135 years ago, changed the way natural gas and propane are used for heating, cooking and welding using oxyfuel. There are many variations in the design of regulators, however their fundamental function is the same. The regulator is based on an element that senses pressure, usually a dialythm made of fabric, to regulate a valve plug's location and limit the flow of gas.
The diaphragm is linked to the stem of the valve by rods that go through the set spring, over the diaphragm and into the valve. The gas pressure from the pipeline or the house is sensed by this mechanism and it adjusts the position of the valve plug to align it to the demand of the house. As the gas usage in the house decreases and the pressure between the regulator and the house reduces also. The diaphragm expands downwards and the valve plug moves closer to the orifice in order to stop flow. As the demand in the house grows, the valve opens further, increasing the flow of gas.
When the valve plug is shut, it is held in place by the set spring force until the house's demand decreases, which opens the valve further to increase flow. This process is referred to as"sizing" and is the basic operation of the regulator.
When the valve is opened it creates pressure up in the main chamber of the regulator, which is attached to the outlet port of the hose by a venturi tube (see image). The pressure is controlled by the adjustment of a handle or screw on the outside of the regulator. When the screw is turned counterclockwise it increases and decreases the pressure. When it is turned clockwise, it decreases the pressure.
When selecting a pressure regulator make sure to keep in mind that the maximum and minimum nominal pressures are set by commercial standards and NOT the pressure at the supply line. The regulator must also be compatible with the hose you are using. Make sure gas patio heater pyramid choose a hose that is whistle-free. It will feature alternating rings that are different sizes. This will stop the resonant sounds from building up across the length.
Thermocouple
Thermocouples are based on the idea that different metals in contact with each other at their ends can produce a voltage, even if they are at wildly different temperatures. They are used to detect temperatures that differ between points of the circuit and convert that information into an electronic signal that can be read by thermocouple gauges or another instrument. Thermocouples are superior to other sensors, such as thermistors. They can measure extremely high temperatures and work in corrosive conditions.
The measuring (or hot) junction is created by connecting two metals with different properties at one end, and the other end, the reference (or cold) junction, is maintained at a constant temperature. Thermocouples are passive devices, which means that they don't require power to operate. The voltage produced is proportional to the temperature difference between the measuring junction and the reference junction. Manufacturers of thermocouples as well as organizations that provide metrology standards, such as NIST provide reference tables for the function E (T). Displaystyle scriptstyle e(T) for each type of thermocouple.
There are three types of thermocouple junctions: an exposed, grounded, and wire that is welded. The exposed type of junction is a bit higher than the protective sheath and offers the fastest response time. A grounded thermocouple is recommended for testing in corrosive environments. A thermocouple welded-wire is physically separated from the sheath by using mgO powder. This prevents moisture or gas from penetrating and causing errors.
A welded wire thermocouple also has the added benefit of being more resistant to vibration. It is recommended for use in harsh environments and at pressures of up to 3000 psi. A thermocouple that has been damaged is usually the result of a lack in polarity. If the sheath isn't polarized, the two ends of the thermocouple will have different voltages at the measurement junction, which can cause an inaccurate reading and even end up damaging the instrument. A defective thermocouple may be caused by a poorly installed or calibrated sensor.
Thermostat
In contrast to electric heaters that need to be wired directly into the wall Gas patio heaters are portable and utilize natural gas or propane cylinders as fuel. The thermostats regulate the flow energy to these cylinders, so that they don't overflow however they can still provide heat when needed. The thermostat detects the temperature of the air that passes through it. The thermostat also senses when the room has cooled down to a comfortable level and turns off the heating.
Digital thermostats are the most common. It utilizes a microcontroller that converts a change in electrical resistance into a measurement of temperature. It is able to do this more accurately than previous mercury switch thermostats, which used mercury coils with three wires in it that moved based on temperature. This allowed it to tilt a mercury switch that was connected to the electrical circuit of a heater or air conditioning unit, and turn it off or on.
A mechanical thermostat is another type. This has a small cylinder filled with wax that starts to melt at a certain temperature, perhaps 180 degrees F (different thermostats open up at different temperatures). When the wax is hot, a rod attached to the thermostat opens the valve. As the room cools, the wax contracts, and the rod is pulled back into the cylinder, thereby shutting the valve.
There are thermostats that can be programmed to switch at different times during the day. This allows you to reduce energy consumption by setting your heating to turn on and off when you are working or sleeping, instead of having it on constantly. You can also set your thermostat to turn on earlier to ensure that you arrive home to a comfortable temperature. Thermostats also often include an element known as the heat anticipator, which stops the heater from switching on too soon. This is because different parts of the house often reach the set temperature before the thermostat itself.
Pilot Light
Many newer homes, heating systems and furnaces have eliminated completely from pilot lights. However older homes still make use of them to ignite gas in the burner chamber. If the pilot light ever extinguished, it's important to know how to re-light it safely.
A pilot light creates a small flame that heats a thermocouple, which generates electricity and holds the gas valve open. When the pilot flame stops the thermocouple cools and ceases to produce electricity, thereby closing the valve. Pilot lights are found in a wide range of propane- and natural gas-powered appliances, such as water heaters, fireplaces, barbecues, furnaces, ranges and hot tubs.
Relighting a pilot light requires that you first turn off the gas valve in the appliance. Then you need to remove any doors or panels that could be in the way of getting to the pilot light. Locate the pilot light tube, and follow the steps on the front of the appliance for opening it. Once you've switched off the pilot switch, turn the knob on the gas valve to "on".
The main reason for leaving the pilot light on is for safety reasons. If it's accidentally extinguished the gas constantly venting out of the pilot light tube can accumulate in your home until sparks from a spark from a cigarette lighter or static electricity ignites it and triggers an explosion. To avoid this, the pilot tubes come with a built in cutoff valve.
In addition to the safety issues, a constantly burning pilot light is also a significant amount of energy. A pilot light can burn between $7 and $18 worth of gasoline every month, based on numerous studies. This waste of fuel also puts a heavier load on the air conditioning system during summer use. Another issue with pilot lights is that it can attract spiders, which can spin webs that can clog pilot tubes. Finally, a constant flame could release trace amounts the mercaptan compound, which creates the rotten egg smell that is present in natural gas. If you're ever concerned about these issues, you should consider purchasing a gas fireplace with a remote control or replacing an old fireplace with a more efficient, modern design.