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Cast iron radiators

kjag55

Updated: Jan 22



Radiators are relatively easy to dismantle, have a long lifespan, and their appearance and capacity have not changed significantly over the years – this makes their reuse easier. Additionally, as new radiators can be relatively expensive, it can pay off to reuse them, especially with good logistics.

 

According to the assessment in Bengt Dahlgren Gothenburg's guide, reusing a 500mm x 1000 mm radiator can save from 11 up to 41 kg of CO2_eq, depending on the number of panels and convector plates.

 

How to reuse and recycle

  • check available documentation on what flows (system temperature and output power) the radiators were designed for;

 

If documentation is missing, the capacity and function need to be assessed; it can start by matching an old radiator with a corresponding product type for which specification is known.

 

  • protect from damage during transport and storage:

    • remember to plug the pipe connections and radiator coupling;

    • if possible, transport and store radiators side by side to avoid their deformation and other damages while stacked on top of each other;

  • assess the radiators' tightness (pressure-test), function, and aesthetics (e.g., cracks, rust, etc., to be repaired or the need for their repainting);

 

In some facilities, venting and degassing of radiators might have been deficient, leading to oxygen presence in the system, thus increasing the risk of corrosion and, eventually, leaking. This is why a thorough check of radiators' properties is crucial.

 

Radiators affected by rust can be ground down and welded in case of any leaks.

 
  • check for filters and how much contamination has occurred since the last filter change, and for the type of radiator coupling (as, especially in the older types, these couplings are "site-build" and cannot be dismantled with keeping their functional properties);

  • if needed, clean the radiators by flushing them through and, additionally, using, for instance, scrapping off the loose paint by sandblasting,

  • if needed, repaint the radiators and reassess their capacity with an additional paint layer;

  • pressure-test after reassembly.

 

In ENTRA's KA13 project, a Norwegian complete full-scale circular project, 150 radiators were reused. Some of them were designed for other heating mediums with different temperature parameters. However, energy calculations proved that, with higher window quality (less energy loss), such radiators would be enough.

 

Sources and further reading


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