Hydraulic Oil in Snowmelt

Greg Gibbs

This post was for Mark E (I Hit the wrong Botton)I will call Mark in the A.M.
Get this, b-4 they used hydaulic oil, the Mgr. said they had used 100% vegtible Oil.
-Good to see you too. Greg

Greg Gibbs

Hydraulic Oil in Snowmelt Piping...

On Friday I looked at a Snowmelt job that needs a little TLC. It is an existing "Black Iron" job that started leaking. It has been drained and was not used this season.
We will remove the black iron & use pex in a new slab.
It has the following: 350'ft supply, 350' return (both are 3" inch) & a Shelll-in Tube Heat exchanger transfering heat from water boilers. The bldg. Mgr said that for the last 5 years they used 100% Hydraulic Oil on the snowmelt side of the heat Exch. (Citco Sperry Vickers #46 M-2950-S & I-286-S)
My question is this: The Heat Exch. & the 3" Supply & Return are in good condition except they have a coating of oil inside of the walls (of the 3")and on the tubes of the Heat Exch. How would we go about cleaning the system before we add our prop-glycol mix? or do we have to worry about it? Help! Greg

[Deleted User]

Talk...

to my friend and landlord Mark (Zeke) Verbeck. He commonly converts solar systems from Brayco 888 (hydraulic fluid of the space shuttle era) to propylene glycol systems. I think a strong solution of tri sodium phosphate (TSP) oughta cut it, but I've never had an occasion to try it.

Why did they induce oil into the system in the first place?

Good to see ya Greg

ME

hot_rod

Sounds like a challange

What's your plans for the fluid you remove? Seems the water and soap solution should be discarded properly also. Hate to see that go into a sewer or septic system!

There are many heat transfer fluids out there. In addition to the common glycols there are silicone and oil based products.

I think I would contact the heat transfer fluids division of Dow for some advise on disposal, cleaning and refilling. Try their website or call them at 800 447 4393 for help.

I have used Safety Kleen to handle, documentation and dispose of various oils and solar fluids I have encountered, over the years. Fairly inexpensive way to assure you are covered.

Someday, someone may ask you what happened to that fluid you removed. It could be a very expensive question if you don't have proper disposal docs to show. Becareful!

hot rod

Greg Gibbs

EPA

Thanks HR... One of my worries is the EPA, I will call DOW.