Oxy Barrier Tubing?

Duncan_2

Besides tubing chemistry, oxygen diffusion is also a function of system water temperature and the total area of the permeable tubing. You're talking high temps, but very little surface area of permeable tubing.

Might not be a problem in your case, but certainly no guarantees there. It's simply a gamble... some non-barrier systems survive rust problems longer than others, and it seems lower temperature systems do better.

The only way to be sure to NOT have a problem is to use tubing with an oxygen barrier.

What exactly feels wrong with the oxygen diffusion debate?

AL K.

I'm replacing/relocating some baseboard in an older home. Of course, the floor joists and sill plates, etc., are in the way of "normal" copper installation. I don't do a lot of installation, so I don't have the newer materials readily availabe (not a lot of experience with it either).

Can I get by with a 3-4 foot total of non-barrier pex on this job? Cast boiler, some steel components, copper tubing and baseboard, an older system that I know was sucking air before changing the circ to the supply side last year.

Just somehow feels wrong with the oxygen infussion debate...

Thanks, Al K.

DanHolohan

I think

you'd be looking for trouble, Al.

Gary Fereday

Oxygen and penetation


It occurs to me that Everything is pourus. There is space between every particle.
Charcoal has a lot of space in it. enough to be used as a filter for oders. Lead has tighter spaced molecules. Radiation has a tough time getting through it.


There is a physics photo of a cloud chamber showing the atomic particles going through an iron plate. They just pass through.
Oxygen and nitrogen molecules (packed arrangement of atoms) are what air is made up of. They may be large enough to be stopped by metalic pipe. but seals and plastics are just not packed tight enough to prevent oxygen and nitrogen from entering.
Like one post said, "If the water wants air it most likely can get it." This all has to do with "entropy" If you want something to read look that up on the web. just enter it as a key word!
anyway bigugh

Duncan_2

Guesswork.

Oxygen permeation is real, Al. Have a look at:

http://stadlerviega.com/html/contractor/94-01.html

for a textbook explanation.

Back in the real world, some systems with oxygen permeable tubing last longer than others. The higher temperature systems have more rust problems from what I've seen. Another permeation factor is total tubing area. Your patch doesn't have that much surface area, so it's probably not a big deal in that respect. Maybe.

If you use a non-oxygen-permeable material, it's absolutely a non-issue. It's almost always easier to do it right than it is to do it over. Why not simply use copper? Or an oxygen barrier PEX?

What, exactly, feels wrong with the oxygen diffusion debate?

DanHolohan

I think he meant

that the installation felt wrong because of the O2-diffusion debate.

Duncan_2

I think you're right.

Funny... now I'm putting my foot in my mouth before I even open it. I think I have a reading comprehension problem.

DanHolohan

I got it

only because I hear voices in my head.

hr

Why not get

a piece of barrier pex and be done with it. I'd even send you a piece of PAP with the compression type adaptors you need.

Regardless of what you use it is still a good idea to install a hydronic system corrosion inhibitor, in my opinion

hot rod

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AL K.

Thanks

Thanks to all for the responses... I kind of figured I should use the barrier. I'm going to check with my supplier tomorrow , see if he can get me a couple of "waste" pieces from friendly contractors.
Thanks for the offer Hot Rod, if this doesn't work out maybe I'll call:).
Thanks, Al K.