Robur K18 Simplygas User manual

Modulating, condensing gas absorption heat pump, using
aerothermal renewable energy and natural gas for heating
and buer tank domestic hot water production
Installation, use and maintenance manual
K18 Simplygas
Nominal heat output 18,9 kW

This Installation, use and maintenance manual has been drawn up and printed by Robur S.p.A.; whole or partial
reproduction of this Installation, use and maintenance manual is prohibited.
The original is led at Robur S.p.A.
Any use of this Installation, use and maintenance manual other than for personal consultation must be previously
authorised by Robur S.p.A.
The rights of those who have legitimately led the registered trademarks contained within this publication are not
aected.
With the aim of continuously improving the quality of its products, Robur S.p.A. reserves the right to modify the
data and contents of this Installation, use and maintenance manual without prior notice.
Revision: H
Code: D-LBR687
DISPOSAL
The appliance and all its accessories must be disposed of separately in accordance with the regulations in force.
Use of the WEEE symbol (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) indicates that this product cannot be disposed of as household waste.
Proper disposal of this product helps to prevent potential negative consequences for the environment and human health.

Installation, use and maintenance manual – K18 Simplygas 3
I Introduction............................................................................. p.4
I.1 Recipients .......................................................................... p.4
I.2 Control device.................................................................. p.4
II Symbols and denitions............................................... p.4
II.1 Key to symbols................................................................. p.4
II.2 Terms and denitions.................................................... p.4
III Warnings...................................................................................... p.4
III.1 General and safety warnings...................................... p.4
III.2 Conformity ........................................................................ p.6
III.3 Exclusions of liability and warranty.......................... p.6
1 Features and technical data...................................... p.7
1.1 Features.............................................................................. p.7
1.2 Dimensions ..................................................................... p.10
1.3 Components................................................................... p.11
1.4 Electrical wiring diagram ........................................... p.14
1.5 Electronic board............................................................ p.16
1.6 Operation mode............................................................ p.16
1.7 Controls ............................................................................ p.16
1.8 Technical data ................................................................ p.17
2 Transport and positioning........................................ p.18
2.1 Warnings.......................................................................... p.18
2.2 Handling........................................................................... p.19
2.3 Appliance positioning................................................. p.19
2.4 Minimum clearance distances.................................. p.20
2.5 Mounting base............................................................... p.20
3 Heating engineer............................................................... p.21
3.1 Warnings.......................................................................... p.21
3.2 Hydraulic system........................................................... p.21
3.3 Hydraulic connections ................................................ p.26
3.4 Water circulation pump.............................................. p.26
3.5 Antifreeze function....................................................... p.26
3.6 Winter kit (OKBT015).................................................... p.26
3.7 Antifreeze liquid............................................................ p.26
3.8 System water quality ................................................... p.27
3.9 System lling .................................................................. p.27
3.10 Fuel gas supply .............................................................. p.28
3.11 Combustion products exhaust ................................ p.28
3.12 Flue gas condensate discharge................................ p.29
3.13 Defrosting water drainage......................................... p.29
4 Electrical installer.............................................................. p.29
4.1 Warnings.......................................................................... p.29
4.2 Electrical systems.......................................................... p.30
4.3 Electrical power supply............................................... p.31
4.4 Control system............................................................... p.31
4.5 Diverter valve for DHW production........................ p.32
4.6 Alarm indicator lamp................................................... p.33
4.7 Remote the board error reset................................... p.34
4.8 Temperature probes .................................................... p.34
4.9 How to connect an auxiliary heat generator...... p.35
4.10 Winter kit (OKBT015).................................................... p.36
5 First start-up .......................................................................... p.36
5.1 Preliminary checks........................................................ p.36
5.2 Combustion parameters check................................ p.37
5.3 Setting parameters for rst start-up ...................... p.38
5.4 Direct control of DHW production from the K18
appliance.......................................................................... p.43
6 Normal operation.............................................................. p.44
6.1 Warnings.......................................................................... p.44
6.2 Switch on and o (heating service)........................ p.44
6.3 Switch on and o (DHW service)............................. p.45
6.4 Messages on the display ............................................ p.45
6.5 On-board electronic controls – Menus and
parameters of the GHP10/GHP11 board.............. p.45
6.6 Modifying settings........................................................ p.46
6.7 Restarting a locked-out unit..................................... p.48
6.8 Eciency.......................................................................... p.48
7 Maintenance.......................................................................... p.48
7.1 Warnings.......................................................................... p.48
7.2 Pre-emptive maintenance......................................... p.49
7.3 Scheduled routine maintenance............................. p.49
7.4 Periods of inactivity...................................................... p.49
7.5 Temporary stop command of the fan.................... p.49
8 Diagnostics.............................................................................. p.51
8.1 Board codes .................................................................... p.51
8.2 Water pump alarm codes........................................... p.54
9 Appendices.............................................................................. p.55
9.1 Product che................................................................... p.55
INDEX OF CONTENTS

Introduction
4
I
I INTRODUCTION
Installation, use and maintenance manual
This Manual is an integral part of the K18 Simplygas unit
and must be handed to the end user together with the
appliance.
I.1 RECIPIENTS
This Manual is intended for:
▶ End user, for appropriate and safe use of the appliance.
▶ Qualied installer, for correct appliance installation.
▶ Planner, for specic information on the appliance.
I.2 CONTROL DEVICE
In order to work, the K18 Simplygas unit requires a control de-
vice to be connected by the installer (see Paragraph 1.7 p.16 ).
II SYMBOLS AND DEFINITIONS
II.1 KEY TO SYMBOLS
DANGER
WARNING
NOTE
PROCEDURE
REFERENCE (to other document)
II.2 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
DHW = domestic hot water.
Appliance/Unit = equivalent terms, both used to designate the
gas powered absorption heat pump.
TAC = Technical Assistance Centre authorised by Robur.
External request = generic control device (e.g. thermostat, tim-
er or any other system) equipped with a voltage-free NO contact
and used as control to start/stop the unit.
Ambient chronothermostat OCDS007 = control device to con-
trol a K18 Simplygas appliance.
OQLT021 system controller = control system to control a
K18 Simplygas appliance, one or more heating circuits and DHW
production.
GUE (Gas Utilization Eciency) = eciency index of gas heat
pumps, equal to the ratio between the thermal energy pro-
duced and the energy of the fuel used (relative to LCV, lower
caloric value).
First start-up = appliance commissioning operation which may
only and exclusively be carried out by a TAC.
GHP10/GHP11 Board = electronic board on the unit, to con-
trol all functions and to provide interface with other devices and
with the user.
III WARNINGS
III.1 GENERAL AND SAFETY WARNINGS
Installer's qualications
Installation must exclusively be performed by a qualied
rm and by qualied personnel, with specic knowledge
on heating, cooling, electrical systems and gas applianc-
es, in compliance with the laws in force in the Country of
installation.
Declaration of conformity
Upon completing installation, the installing rm shall
issue to the owner/client the appliance's workmanlike
conformity declaration, according to national/local reg-
ulations in force and the manufacturer's instructions/
provisions.
Misuse
The appliance must only be used for the purposes for
which it has been designed. Any other use is deemed
hazardous. Incorrect use may aect operation, duration
andsafety ofthe appliance.Adhereto the manufacturer's
instructions.
Use of the appliance by children
The device can be used by children over 8 years old,
and by people with reduced physical, sensory or mental
capabilities, or lack of experience or knowledge, only if
they are under surveillance or after they have received
instructions regarding safe use of the appliance and un-
derstanding the dangers inherent in it. Children should
not play with the appliance.
Hazardous situations
Do not start the appliance in hazardous conditions, such
as: gas smell, problems with the plumbing/electrical/gas
system, parts of the appliance under water or damaged,
malfunctioning, disabling or bypassing control and safe-
ty devices.
In case of danger, request intervention by qualied per-
sonnel.
In case of danger, switch o the electrical power and gas
supplies only if this can be done in total safety.
Do not entrust children, persons with physical, sensory

Warnings
Installation, use and maintenance manual – K18 Simplygas 5
III
or mental disabilities or persons with poor knowledge
and experience with use of the appliance.
Gas component tightness
Before performing any operation on gas ducting compo-
nents, close the gas valve.
Upon completing any procedure, perform the tightness
test according to regulations in force.
Gas smell
If you smell gas:
Do not use electrical devices such as telephones, mul-
timeters or other equipment that may cause sparks next
to the appliance.
Shut o the gas supply by turning the valve o.
Switch o the power supply via the external disconnect
switch in the power supply electrical panel.
Use a telephone away from the appliance to ask for inter-
vention from qualied personnel.
Poisoning
Ensure the ue gas ducts are tightness and compliant
with the regulations in force.
Upon completing any procedure, ensure the tightness of
the components.
Moving parts
The appliance contains moving parts.
Do not remove guards during operation, and in any case
prior to disconnecting the power supply.
Burn hazard
The appliance contains very hot parts.
Do not open the appliance and do not touch internal
components before the appliance has cooled down.
Do not touch the ue gas exhaust before it has cooled
down.
Pressure vessels
The appliance has a sealed circuit classied as pres-
sure vessel, the tightness of which is tested by the
manufacturer.
Do not carry out any intervention on the sealed circuit or
on the appliance's valves.
Water-ammonia solution
The unit uses the ammonia-water absorption cycle. The
water-ammonia solution is contained in the tightness
circuit. The solution is harmful for health if it is ingested,
inhaled or comes in contact with the skin.
In the event of coolant leak keep away and disconnect
the power and gas supply (only if it is possible to do so
with no danger).
Ask for TAC intervention.
Electrocution hazard
Disconnect the electrical power supply before any oper-
ation on appliance components.
For electrical connections exclusively use compli-
ant components and according to the specications
provided by the manufacturer.
Ensure the appliance cannot be accidentally switched
back on.
Earthing
Electrical safety depends on eective earthing system,
correctly connected to the appliance and installed ac-
cording to the regulations in force.
Distance from combustible or ammable materials
Do not deposit ammable materials (paper, diluents,
paints, etc.) near the appliance.
Limescale and corrosion
Depending on the chemical/physical properties of the
system water, limescale or corrosion may damage the
appliance (Paragraph 3.8 p.27 ).
Check system sealing.
Avoid frequent top-ups.
Chloride concentration
The concentration of chlorides or free chlorine in the
system water must not exceed the values in Table
3.2 p.27 .
Aggressive substances in the air
Halogenated hydrocarbons containing chlorine and u-
orine compounds cause corrosion.The air of the installa-
tion site must be free from aggressive substances.
Acid ue gas condensate
Discharge the acid condensate of combustion ue gas,
as indicated in Paragraph 3.12 p. 29 , in compliance
with current exhaust regulations.
Switching the appliance o
Disconnecting the power supply while the appliance
is running may cause permanent damage to internal
components.
Except in the event of danger, do not disconnect the
power supply to switch o the appliance, but always
and exclusively act through the provided control device
for heating service (OQLT021, OCDS007, or external re-
quest) or for DHW service (OQLT021 or external request).
In the event of failure
Operations on internal components and repairs may
exclusively be carried out by a TAC, using only original
parts.
In the event of failure of the appliance and/or breakage
of any component, do not attempt to repair and/or re-
store and immediately contact the TAC.
Routine maintenance
Proper maintenance assures the eciency and good op-
eration of the appliance over time.
Maintenance must be performed according to the man-
ufacturer's instructions (see Chapter 7 p. 48 ) and in

Warnings
6
III
compliance with current regulations.
Appliance maintenance and repairs may only be entrust-
ed to rms legally authorised to work on gas appliances
and systems.
Enter into a maintenance contract with an authorised
specialised rm for routine maintenance and for servic-
ing in case of need.
Use only original parts.
Decommissioning and disposal
If the appliance is to be disposed of, contact the manu-
facturer for its disposal.
Keep the Manual
This Installation, use and maintenance manual must al-
ways accompany the appliance and must be handed to
the new owner or installer in the event of sale or removal.
III.2 CONFORMITY
EU directives and standards
The absorption heat pumps of the K18 series are certied as
conforming to standard EN 12309 and comply with the essential
requirements of the following Directives:
▶ 2016/426/EU "Gas Appliances Regulation" as amended and
added.
▶ 2014/30/EC "Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive" as
amended and added.
▶ 2014/35/EC "LowVoltage Directive" as amended and added.
▶ 2006/42/EC "Machine Directive" as amended and added.
▶ 2014/68/EU "Pressure Equipment Directive" as amended
and added.
▶ 811/2013/EU "Energy-Related Products regulation" as
amended and added.
▶ 813/2013/EU "Ecodesign requirements regulation" as
amended and added.
Furthermore, they comply with the requirements of the follow-
ing standards:
▶ EN 677 Specic requirements for condensing boilers with
nominal heat input up to 70 kW.
▶ EN 378 Refrigerating systems and heat pumps.
Other applicable provisions and standards
The design, installation, operation and maintenance of the sys-
tems shall be carried out in compliance with current applicable
regulations, depending on the Country and location, and in ac-
cordance with the manufacturer's instructions. In particular, reg-
ulations regarding the following shall be complied with:
▶ Gas systems and equipment.
▶ Electrical systems and equipment.
▶ Heating and cooling systems, and heat pumps.
▶ Environmental protection and combustion products ex-
haust.
▶ Fire safety and prevention.
▶ Any other applicable law, standard and regulation.
III.3 EXCLUSIONS OF LIABILITY AND
WARRANTY
Any contractual or extra-contractual liability of the man-
ufacturer for any damage caused by incorrect installa-
tion and/or improper use and/or failure to comply with
regulations and with the manufacturer's directions/in-
structions shall be disclaimed.
In particular, the warranty on the appliance may be ren-
dered void by the following conditions:
Incorrect installation.
Misuse.
Failure to comply with the manufacturer's indications on
installation, use and maintenance.
Alteration or modication of the product or any part
thereof.
Extreme operational conditions or however outside of
the operational ranges set forth by the manufacturer.
Damages caused by external agents such as salts, chlo-
rine, sulphur or other chemical substances contained in
the installation water or present in the air of the instal-
lation site.
Abnormal actions transmitted to the appliance by the
plant or installation (mechanical stresses, pressure, vi-
brations, thermal expansion, electrical surges...).
Accidental damages or due to force majeure.

Features and technical data
Installation, use and maintenance manual – K18 Simplygas 7
1
1 FEATURES AND TECHNICAL DATA
1.1 FEATURES
1.1.1 Available range
A distinction must be made from the application perspective
based on the type of service provided:
A. Systems for space heating only.
B. Systems for space heating and DHW production, with basic
DHW functionality.
C. Systems for space heating and DHW production, with ad-
vanced DHW functionality and management of one or more
heating circuits.
Systems for space heating, DHW production and heating circuit
management require the use of the optional OQLT021 system
controller.
All K18 Simplygas appliances are available in the outdoor in-
stallation version.
Figure1.1Available range for the family of K18 systems
K18 K18 K18
K18 SIMPLYGAS K18 SIMPLYGAS K18 SIMPLYGAS
GAS ABSORPTION
HEAT PUMP
HEATING ONLY HEATING + BASIC DHW HEATING + ADVANCED DHW
+ HEATING CIRCUITS MANAGEMENT
Table1.1Selection guide
Heating only Space heating + basic DHW Space heating + advanced DHW + heating circuits management
K18 Simplygas
- aerothermal gas heat pump
- heating eciency 169%
- use of aerothermal renewable energy
for heating hot water production up
to 65 °C
- heat input 11,2 kW
- delivered heat output 18,9 kW
K18 Simplygas
- aerothermal gas heat pump + 200/300 liter DHW
buer tank (optional)
- use of aerothermal renewable energy for heating hot
water production up to 65 °C
- use of aerothermal renewable energy also for buer
tank DHW production up to 70 °C
- heat input 11,2 kW
- delivered heat output 18,9 kW
K18 Simplygas
- aerothermal gas heat pump + system controller (required) +
200/300 liter DHW buer tank (optional)
- use of aerothermal renewable energy for heating hot water
production up to 65 °C
- use of aerothermal renewable energy also for buer tank DHW
production up to 70 °C
- controlling secondary zone circuits (via the system controller)
- heat input 11,2 kW
- delivered heat output 18,9 kW
1.1.2 Operation
The K18 Simplygas heat pump is based on the thermodynam-
ic water-ammonia absorption cycle (H20–NH3), and produces
hot water using outdoor air as a renewable energy source (cold
source) and natural gas as primary energy.
The thermodynamic cycle takes place within a hermetically
sealed circuit, in welded construction, perfectly tight, facto-
ry-tested, which does not require any maintenance or coolant
top-ups.
1.1.3 Mechanical and thermo-hydraulic components
▶ Steel sealed circuit, externally treated with epoxy paint.
▶ Sealed combustion chamber suitable for outdoor installa-
tions.
▶ Burner equipped with ignition and ame detection device,
controlled by an electronic controller.
▶ Titanium stainless steel shell-and-tube water exchanger.
▶ Stainless steel, shell-and-tube recovery exchanger of ue gas
latent heat.
▶ Air exchanger with nned coil, with steel pipe and alumin-
ium ns.
▶ Automatic microprocessor-controlled nned coil defrosting
valve.
▶ Standard supplied water pump.
1.1.4 Control and safety devices
▶ GHP10/GHP11 electronic board with microprocessor, dis-
play and selection keys.
▶ Water owmeter.
▶ Generator limit thermostat, with manual reset.
▶ Flue gas thermostat, with manual reset.
▶ Sealed circuit safety relief valve.
▶ Bypass valve, between high and low-pressure circuits.
▶ Flame control board.
▶ Double shutter electric gas valve.
▶ Antifreeze functions for hydraulic circuit.
▶ Condensate discharge sensor.
1.1.5 Controlling an optional auxiliary boiler
(external)
A control system has been designed for the K18 Simplygas unit,
called Armonia, which allows integration between the heat
pump and an optional auxiliary boiler to be managed as opti-
mally as possible in order to provide the best performance in
terms of comfort and energy eciency.
Specically, as shown in Figure 1.2 p. 8 below, various cases
are possible:
A. Very low load: active auxiliary boiler in modulation and
heat pump o (replacement at a particularly mild outdoor

Features and technical data
8
1
temperature).
B. Low load: active heat pump in modulation and auxiliary boil-
er o.
C. Average/high load: active heat pump at full power and ac-
tive auxiliary boiler in modulation (integration).
D. High load: maximum power for the operating condition to
be reached quicker (integration).
E. Very high load: heat pump out of the operating limits and
auxiliary boiler that autonomously covers the design load
(replacement at low ambient temperature).
Figure1.2Armonia control system diagram
Tj [°C] outdoor temperature
PLRh(Tj) [%]plant partial load ratio at outdoor temperatureTj
A Heat pump o. Active auxiliary boiler in modulation
B Active heat pump in modulation. Auxiliary boiler o
C Active heat pump at full power. Active auxiliary boiler in modulation
D Active heat pump at full power. Active auxiliary boiler at full power
E Heat pump o. Active auxiliary boiler at full power
100%
0% T j
20°C
A
B
CD
E
PLRh(Tj) [%]
In the presence of a minimal thermal demand (scenario A), the
minimum power of the heat pump could still be excessive in
comparison to the demand. In this case it may be advantageous
to use only the auxiliary boiler (replacement mode), if this has
adequate modulation capacity.
In the presence of low thermal demand (scenario B), only the
heat pump will be active in modulation mode, whereas the aux-
iliary boiler will be o.
As the thermal demand increases (scenario C), the heat pump
reaches full power and, if the thermal load still cannot be ful-
lled, it will activate the auxiliary boiler, which (if the specic
model used allows it) will run in modulation mode. The heat
pump will still remain active and at full power, and therefore the
power of the auxiliary boiler will be added to that of the heat
pump (integration mode).
When the thermal demand is high (scenario D), for example
while the system reaches operating conditions, the heat pump
and auxiliary boiler will run at maximum power, reducing the
necessary time for the operating conditions to be reached and
ensuring the optimal comfort even in harsher environmental
conditions.
If the heating system design require the water tem-
perature to be higher than the maximum that can be
dispensed by the heat pump, in high thermal demand
conditions (scenario E), the auxiliary boiler can be acti-
vated as its replacement. In this type of application the
maximum thermal load of the building must be at most
equal to the power of the auxiliary boiler and not to the
sum of the power of the two appliances (replacement
mode).
The auxiliary boiler can therefore be operated in four ways (see
also Paragraph 5.3.6 p.41 ):
▶ Inactive (the auxiliary boiler does not intervene in any way).
▶ Emergency (the auxiliary boiler is only activated when there
is an alarm on the heat pump module).
▶ Integration (active auxiliary boiler as necessary for integra-
tion of the heat output of the heat pump module, scenarios
B, C, and D).
▶ Integration and replacement (just like in the integration
mode, with the addition that in particular environmental
conditions, the heat pump can be deactivated and only the
auxiliary boiler operates, scenarios A and E).
1.1.6 DHW production
The K18 Simplygas appliance can autonomously manage the
DHW buer tank charging function if a temperature probe in the
buer tank (available as OSND004 optional) is properly connect-
ed and congured.
The DHW production modes available in this scenario are limit-
ed to basic functionality. For more comprehensive management
of DHW production, the use of the OQLT021 system controller is
recommended.
If the unit manages the production of DHW directly, any request
contact for the DHW service has the function of switching be-
tween two dierent setpoints of the DHW buer tank tempera-
ture, which can be set by means of appropriate parameters.
In the presence of the OQLT021 system controller, the
management of DHW production, with the control of the
relevant temperature probe, must be carried out by the
controller itself, and not by the K18 Simplygas appliance.

Features and technical data
Installation, use and maintenance manual – K18 Simplygas 9
1
1.1.6.1 DHW production operating modes
In case DHW production is managed directly by the
K18 Simplygas appliance (i.e. in the absence of the OQLT021 sys-
tem controller) the following operating modes are possible:
1. Fixed comfort setpoint 24 hours/day
2. Fixed comfort setpoint with the possibility to deactivate the
DHW request via external contact (comfort / OFF)
3. Fixed comfort setpoint or DHW buer tank antifreeze pro-
tection via external contact (comfort / antifreeze)
4. Variable setpoint (comfort and reduced) according to pro-
gramming (with external timer)
5. Fixed setpoint with anti-legionella function (with external
timer)
The dierent operating modes are detailed in Paragraph
5.4.2 p.43 .

Features and technical data
10
1
1.2 DIMENSIONS
Figure1.3Dimensions K18 Simplygas
A Water outlet connection Ø 3/4" M
B Water inlet connection Ø 3/4" M
C Electrical connection input
D Flue gas outlet Ø 80 mm
E Flue gas condensate and defrosting water drain Ø 20 mm
F Flue gas condensate and defrosting water discharge conveyor
G Gas connection Ø 1/2" M
H Burner ON green indicator lamp
I Transparent cover, which can be detached to access the user interface keys
J Reset/unlock button
I
J
C
A
B
H
G
D
E
F
722
1333
95
69 375 83 152 100 100686
1145
189
101
55
1068
6280 202
296
228