Improving the nucleate boiling and heat transfer characteristics of a central heating system

摘要

An additive is adapted to improve the efficiency of a central heating system. The additive comprises alkyl polyglycosides and may additionally comprise a corrosion inhibitor, a scale inhibitor, a sludge conditioner, a bactericide, alkyl polyglucosides and/or a non-ionic surfactant. The additive reduces the surface tension of water in the central heating system, thereby enhancing the nucleate boiling and heat transfer characteristics of the system. Also claimed is a method of dosing a central heating system with the additive, whereby the additive is dispensed directly into a bleed valve of a radiator of the system using a syringe. Dosing the central heating system with the additive produces a solution 140 having a surface tension smaller than that of water such that the solution forms microscopic bubbles 120 when heated in, for example, a heat exchange tube 100 of a boiler of the central heating system. This is beneficial over use of untreated water 14, which forms large bubbles 12 that act as a barrier to efficient heat transfer between the source of heat and the water.