Dumping used boiler water

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of the product the disposal is much easier and safer. True most propylene and even ethylene based glycols are easy on the enviroment, and will bio degrade. Most airports have bioponds that the glycol they spray on airplanes go into before being discharged into the enviroment.

Ethylene based glycols (automotive anti freezes)have been know to kill dogs and pets if they consume quantities. They are attracted to the sweet taste, I've been told. All the auto manufactures are switching to opropylene based anti freezes for this reason, although ethylene is a better heat transfer fluid than propylene.

The more additivies or inhibitors that are added to the base "non toxic" glycols the more toxic they become. I certainly would not care to drink boiler glycols, regardless of what the label states :)

You are correct in being concerned with "other" boiler fluids the may contain chemicals that are considered highly toxic and will not easily breakdown in the enviroment.

I still say if the fluid make up is unclear, let a pro dispose of it for the sake of your piece of mind and the future of our enviroment.

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Richard Chawes

How about it guys? What are you doing with used boiler water full of propylene glycol, rust, molybdenum etc. We use to be able to bring it to the waste water facility, but now they want a test on every single batch to see how much of what it contains. How come in all my years of hydronics (11+) I have never seen a discussion about this? Is it taboo because everyone is just dumping it on the ground or in the drain. This is highly illegal I think. Especially with chromates. What are you'll doing about this?

Bob Bona_4

ahh

this is a subject that I have been waiting for to come up. Glycol in residential systems has become more prevalant due to hydro-air units in the attic, and I just know that while all seems ok for now-due to relatively new installations-we are sitting on a huge service/boiler component corrosion damage/disposal nightmare. It will come back to bite us-guaranteed. In the real world, inhibitor levels are never checked or adjusted, water quality is all over the board, dilution/breakdown of glycol is a given. I know I sound pessimistic, but I see nothing but a grim future for systems with glycol. It may turn into the next "R-12"! I only wish that more thought was given to equipment protection that is more enviromentally friendly, I really do.

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Bob Bona_4

I know

I never really answered the original question-my rant took over-the topic sounds like it was more industrial related..Again, most of the glycol systems around here are still in thier early years, and recovery/disposal is not an issue..yet.

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Proper disposal would be

I use Safety Kleen for large quantities (55 gallon or more)of glycol or other questionable boiler fluids. The will pick up drum containers, documant, and recycle or dispose of the product. They handle all types of glycols, solvents, cleaners, etc. Find them at www.safetykleen.com enter your zip code for a location near you.

You really want to be sure you keep the paperwork on hand and send a copy to your customer to assure them the disposal has been handled safely and legally.

Smaller quantities I take to Quick Lube oil change shops. They charge a little more, however.

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Mark Eatherton1

Is dillution the solution to pollution???

If you send it down the floor drain, it will end up at the sewage treatment plant anyway, right?

I guarantee you there are more toxic chemicals being dumped into the city sewers on a daily basis from the small mom and pop plating shops and photo processing labs than there is in a typical hydronic heating system.

Now if your waste water went untreated into a surface water setting, then THAT would get you a record deal with the EPA.

Propylene glycol being a common substitue for sugar shouldn't send up any alarms yet...

ME

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J.C.A.

What is used ...

in a pressurised system is propylene glycol. This should'nt be harmful for human comsumption in case of a back-flow condition .
If memory serves me correctly , this is the same stuff that that they use to keep wine and soda(pop, tonic and or carbonated beverages) from freezing during shipment .
Apparently this is safe for consumption but not good enough to dump down the drain ?
Where does the double-jeopardy end , and common sense begin ? Just a question . Chris.

J.C.A.

What is used ...

in a pressurised system is propylene glycol. This should'nt be harmful for human comsumption in case of a back-flow condition .
If memory serves me correctly , this is the same stuff that that they use to keep wine and soda(pop, tonic and or carbonated beverages) from freezing during shipment .
Apparently this is safe for consumption but not good enough to dump down the drain ?
Where does the double-jeopardy end , and common sense begin ? Just a question . Chris.

eleft_3

Disposal

Has anyone seen how the painters dispose of there brush clean up slop? It's usually in the nearest pile to the job, be it topsoil rocks or lumber. If no pile is available the largest tree gets this nasty stuff. There vans do not have any waste tanks! This goes for floor guy's too. WHERE'S THE EPA on this one?


AL