Oxygen barrier pipes. Do I need to overpay for them. Understanding

Fifteen years ago, no one thought or even heard of such a concept "oxygen barrier in pipes." Now, specialists who make up a house heating project, or sellers and installers, are increasingly impose offer, polymer pipes with protection. In the form of aluminum foil on metal-plastic and polypropylene, as well as a layer of polymer in cross-linked polyethylene EVOH.

The simplest heating scheme. The illustration was created by the author of the article in the program "Easymnemo"

The argument of all of the above specialists rests on these factors:

Oxygen in the heating system harms fittings and equipment, their service life is reduced, the system is constantly contaminated with oxides, sludge and magnetite are deposited in the pipeline. Especially strong effect of oxygen in the system on pipes, fittings and radiators made of ferrous metal. To a lesser extent on elements made of copper and aluminum. According to experts, bacteria develop in a coolant with a high oxygen content, which can actively cause corrosion. This is evidenced by the musty smell of the systems being flushed. Believe it or not, there is an opinion that even algae live in such systems, especially low temperature ones. And they also need to eat something.

And according to SP 41-109-2005 for XLPE:

3.1.4 Pipes for heating systems should have an anti-diffusion layer to protect against oxygen penetration.

Powerful arguments, aren't they?

Naturally, an opinion arises that opposes all these arguments! Modern heating systems are under excess pressure and, logically, on the contrary, the same oxygen should come out of the system through the pipes, and not in the reverse order ...

But according to the opinion English scientists, there is such a thing as "Diffusion" mutual penetration of media, even at excessive pressure. So the compound of polymer molecules has a more "loose" structure in comparison with the size of an oxygen molecule, so this element can penetrate and penetrate into the medium behind the pipe layer.

A simple example: Even a well-packaged smoked fish in a polyethylene bag continues to smell, less, but still. Odor-inducing molecules, penetrate any polymer film

Suppose we agree with this fact, but oxygen is active, but it penetrates into the system, and interacts with heating elements. Still, pipes are not a sieve. And the amount of oxygen that penetrates the entire surface of the polymer pipes of the home system, without protection, is negligible.

Readers, which have long been assembled boiler rooms, will not let you lie. Everything works great for them without any protection, corrosion is within normal limits. And practice shows this.

An important point! Which you need to pay attention to. The heating system must be airtight! No leaks. If this condition is not met and you have to constantly, not occasionally, but constantly feed the system fresh water, then the corrosive effect of oxygen is activated in the system, bacteria breathe deeply and shout "Walk like that" With words "Mmm yummy"By eating steel, aluminum and copper.

The conclusion is this: There is money for a pipe with oxygen protection, do not skimp. Take it. Money in the butt? There is no way out; this factor will have to be relegated to the background.