The Lifeblood of Your HVAC System: The Power of Pressurization and Degassing
- sentroxtechnics
- Aug 26
- 2 min read
In a building's HVAC system, the circulating water is its lifeblood. Just like blood in our bodies, this fluid must be kept clean, pressurized, and free of contaminants to ensure the health of the entire system. While it's easy to focus on the major equipment like chillers and pumps, the real secret to a long-lasting and efficient system lies in a less visible but equally critical set of components: pressurization and degassing systems.
The Dangers of Air and Improper Pressure
Closed-loop hydronic systems (chilled or hot water systems) face two primary silent threats:
Improper Pressure: As the temperature of the water changes, its volume expands and contracts. Without a way to manage this, pressure levels can fluctuate wildly. Too much pressure can trigger safety valves to release water, while too little pressure can cause a vacuum and lead to the formation of air bubbles.
Dissolved Gases: Even with a sealed system, air can be introduced through maintenance, new water top-ups, or simply from the water itself. This air contains oxygen, which is highly corrosive to metal pipes, pumps, and heat exchangers. Air bubbles also collect in high points of the system, creating blockages that reduce flow, cause noisy operation, and dramatically decrease heat transfer efficiency.
Ignoring these issues can lead to costly consequences, including corrosion, cavitation (damage to pumps from imploding bubbles), and premature equipment failure.
How Pressurization and Degassing Systems Work
These systems are designed to proactively combat these two threats. They are typically combined into a single, compact unit that connects to the main system.
Pressurization Units: The pressurization unit's main function is to maintain a consistent static pressure in the system. It uses a pump to add make-up water when the pressure drops, and it can also manage the excess volume created when water heats up and expands. This ensures the system always has the minimum pressure needed for optimal operation and protects against damaging pressure fluctuations.
Degasser : The degasser specifically targets dissolved air and other gases in the water. It works based on a principle called Henry's Law, which states that the solubility of a gas in a liquid decreases as pressure decreases. The degasser draws a small amount of system water into a vacuum chamber where the pressure is significantly lowered. This reduced pressure causes the dissolved gases to come out of the solution, form bubbles, and get vented out of the system through an air vent. The degassed, "hungry" water is then returned to the main loop, where it can absorb more air from the system. This continuous cycle ensures the water remains free of corrosive and obstructive gases.
Leading Brands and Our Role in Water Quality Management
When choosing a pressurization and degassing system, reliability and performance are key. Several reputable global brands specialize in these crucial components:
IMI Pneumatex
Spirotech
Reflex
At Sentrox Technics Sdn Bhd, we understand that proper water quality management is fundamental to HVAC system longevity and efficiency. We are a trusted supplier of leading-brand pressurization and degassing systems, and we provide expert consultation to help you select and implement the right solution for your building. By partnering with us, you can proactively protect your investment and ensure your HVAC system operates reliably for years to come.
