gauge glass erosion

wily

fulton steam process boiler 65lb. operating pressure

red line hp gauge glass eroding and breaking

? due to maintainence blowing down gauge set tooooo much ?

we have never encountered such 

Charlie from wmass

Glass erosion

I usually find when the water line is not steady. That said I tend to be under 15 pounds, and under a pound of pressure if I can. Glass is made for different duty ratings are you sure you are using glass rated for that kind of pressure?

Gordo

pH of the Water

I've been told that water with high pH (alkaline) will cause sight-glass erosion.

Hap_Hazzard

Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding!

You heard right!



You often see this on glass shower doors exposed to hard water. When the water dries, the hardness ions and hydroxide ions stay behind, resulting in a very concentrated solution. When the scale is removed, the dissolved glass goes along with it.



In the gauge glass, the action of the hydroxide ions is amplified by the high temperature.



Ironically, the pH where glass erosion occurs--9–9.5--is ideal for minimizing cast iron corrosion, so this is a good sign! I'd rather replace gauge glass 'til the cows come home than replace my boiler.

nicholas bonham-carter

Dishwasher silicon etching

This phenomenon must have something to do with the silicon etching of glasses in the dishwasher. Is there any solution to this equally troublesome problem?--NBC

vaporvac

Cascade Crystal Clear

Try Cascade Crystal Clear or Jet-Dry.  The "sheeting" action keeps the water from etching the glassware. It really does work and a little goes along way.

EBEBRATT-Ed

PH

yeah, just ran into the same thing with a fulton boiler about 2 years ago. check the ph of the water. we couldn't keep a gage glass in this one.

Ed

ChrisJ

Oh Goodie

Being I'm running a PH of around 9 I guess I better get a few spares on hand!



I'd rather replace the glass for $1 than the block.

Hap_Hazzard

I agree.

I was going to suggest that same thing. I've never actually seen this kind of etching, but if you have hard water, all the right ingredients are there: high pH, heat, and drying leading to high concentrations of caustic base in contact with the glass.



If the Jet-Dry doesn't do the trick you could turn off the drying cycle and hand dry your glassware, or put a reverse-osmosis system on the water supply. Even a conventional water softener should help.

SWEI

softener cartridges

Are available from all the major filter makers - Pentek, Culligan, etc. to fit standard housings.  They work well for point-of-use apps like dishwashers.