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anti-freeze in neww polybute

Fair enough! Thanks for your input men, glycol we go! Chris

Comments

  • Chris Kuzila
    Chris Kuzila Member Posts: 11
    anti-freeze

    A friend of mine has a carwash with polybutelyne in the bay floors that has never been hooked-up. During a brain storming session, one of the fellows posed, "why not use windshield washer fluid instead of regular anti-freeze?" Given 100 degree F, 12 pounds of pressure, why not?
  • Derheatmeister
    Derheatmeister Member Posts: 1,581
    Alcohol??

    Isn't Windshield washer fluid made with Alcohol?

    Given that ? I would check the PH and the companionably of both!(Chemical Resistance Chart)

    BTW: regular Glycol will deteriorate quicker because of the None Oxygen Barrier!

    But also your boiler/ expansion tank/ fill valves/ Circulating Pumps and your boiler will suffer to !!

    That is if they are not made of SS or Bronze..


    Richard from Heatmeister..
  • Chris Kuzila
    Chris Kuzila Member Posts: 11
    chemical resistance chart

    Thanks Derheatmeister for the comeback. These are all car guys, alcohol was used in autos before glycols. I thought it was worth a cast. All brass and copper in the loop. Where may I find a chemical resistance chart? Thanks again.
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,382
    Geo installers

    have used an alcohol based fluid for years in plastic ground loops. maybe check with a geo supplier.

    Hydronic propylene glycol would still be my choice, but with a non barrier tube it will need yearly checkups and maybe boost inhibitors added every few years. A lot depends onthe operating temperature. Higher temperatures encourage more O2 ingress.

    Maybe a low temperature heater like a mod con or condensing water heater.

    hr
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Mark Eatherton
    Mark Eatherton Member Posts: 5,858
    Geo installers...

    Don't have open flames ignition sources... Also, after just a few years of operation, the cast iron pumps I have seen in the low temp closed loop GSHP systems look like crap.

    I think the fact that the geo guys aren't paying attention to oxygen barriers and corrosion inhibitors is going to come back to bite them (US) in the butt.

    Rust never sleeps.

    I'm with HR, buck up and put the right antifreeze in and avoid corrosion/explosion/fire issues. There is a reason we don't use alcohol in our heating systems... The same goes for salt water :-)

    ME

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