Manifold, a buffer tank comprising the manifold, and a method for operating a heat exchange system

A manifold comprising a hollow interior region divided to form a flow chamber, a return chamber and a bypass chamber,

• the flow chamber having a first inlet port for connection to at least two heat sources,
• the flow chamber configured to receive a liquid heat transfer medium from the at least two heat sources,
• the flow chamber having at least one flow port for connection to at least one heat exchange circuit to provide the liquid heat transfer medium to the at least one heat exchange circuit,
• the return chamber having at least one return port for connection to the at least one heat exchange circuit,
• the return chamber configured to receive the liquid heat transfer medium returned from the at least one heat exchange circuit,
• the return chamber having at least one first outlet port for connection to one of the at least two heat sources to provide the liquid heat transfer medium returned from the at least one heat exchange circuit to one of the at least two heat sources,
• the bypass chamber communicating with the flow chamber,
• the bypass chamber having at least one second outlet port for connection to one of the at least two heat sources and configured to provide the liquid heat transfer medium from the bypass chamber to another one of the at least two heat sources, a communicating passageway which communicates between the flow chamber and the bypass chamber,
• the return chamber communicates with the flow chamber and with the bypass chamber through a communicating opening,
• a first deflecting means located adjacent the communicating opening for deflecting the liquid heat transfer medium flowing into the return chamber away from the communicating opening, and wherein a de-aeration port extends from the flow chamber for accommodating air entrained in the liquid heat transfer medium from the flow chamber and for accommodating expansion of the liquid heat transfer medium in the manifold, and in which a directing means is provided for directing air entrained in the liquid heat transfer medium to the de-aeration port.