Antifreeze in heating systems??

Eric Johnson

What would be the best way for a homeowner to dispose of old, non-toxic heating system antifreeze? I'm running Harvey's No-Burst. I'm going over to plain water and am not sure what to do with the old mix.

Eric_32

Antifreeze in boilers.

Anyone use antifreeze in heating systems? I have heard it's corrosive to the piping. I've had some issues with Spirovents leaking on some occasions on boilers I've serviced. We run all heat lines up interior walls so there's no issue. There a better brand or mixture??

lee_7

It has to be put in in the proper amounts snd the proper dilution and you should have any problems.

Joe_75

I do not use antifreeze unless there is a good possibility of the system freezing.

hr

Use ONLY

hydronic antifreeze, not the automotive type as it has silicates that will slime up your circs, ZVs, HXers, etc. Seen it.

Hydronic glycols can be either PG or EG. Propylene glycol or ethylene glycol.

The PG is generally non toxic, but has a higher cost and a bit less heat transfer ability than EG. EG is more common in large commercial systems. They can be mixed by the way but toxicity becomes an unknown.

Favorite brands Nobel NoBurst, Rhomar Rho-Guard, Dow DowFrost HD, Hercules Cyrotech (sp).

For multi metal systems and systems with aluminum Rho-Guard or the Nobel NoBurst al.

Clean the system before you add glycol, blend with DI water and test yearly.

hot rod

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GW

HR

You seem to have a handle on this; I was chatting with the Viessmann rep today about this; hoping you can add to the mix here.

I pumped some of Viessmann's Tyfocor HTL (polyethylene) into the solar system we're doing. The remains I pumped intgo the garage slab...but I ran short. Am I cool to mix in some regular propylene, like Hercules? Or do i need to stick with the same stuff? What is the "poly" in the Viessmann stuff?

Thanks,

Gary

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Rudnae

Fun with Glycol

Gary, you should get more of the same kind that you started with, much like batteries you don't want to mix and match. There are not any manufacturers that would recomend mixing different brands of glycol. As for disposal most fire departments have the correct equipement for disposing of old and used heating system fluid. Hope this helps. Rudnae

Alex Giacomuzzi

Just Curious


I am jut curious as to why you are changing it out?
Have you incurred operational problems or leaks or is maintenance of it a concern?

Regards Alex

Eric Johnson

reason for changing

I've got a wood-fired boiler in my barn currently connected to a gas-fired boiler in my basement through a flat plate heat exchanger. I think I would have a more responsive, efficient system if I piped it direct. Both are pressurized, closed-loop systems. Plus, I'm getting a bigger gasifying boiler, and I think it would be easier and cheaper to upgrade my insulation than upgrade the htx. And I worry about the ph getting out of whack.

Does that make sense?

hr

any Jiffy lube, or car dealers

will handle old glycols. Some charge, some will take small amounts no charge if you do business with them. They recycle it.

Many state and county have recycle sites listed on their websites.

Actually glycol, in small amounts, can go down the drain. Many airports actually spray EG on the airplanes for de-icing. I've noticed the tankers as I walk through the various airports. Some airports use bio ponds, others wash it down the storm drains. EG breaks down quicker then PG, experts tell me.

I agree on not mixing types or unknown brand specfic products.

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Shawn Ford

I dont think boilermakers reccomend running glycol through hot water boilers. As a matter of fact a number of years ago, I contacted a couple makers of woodfired boilers and they said they didnt want glycol run through thier systems either.

Eric Johnson

Then where?

If it's not made for hot water boilers, then where would you use heating system glycol? Only on the other side of a heat exchanger?

Lurkin' Murkin'

I read that glycol is put in cheap brands of dog food. Now I know why rich people dress their dogs in sweaters, when they walk them in the winter!