Glycol or Inhibitors?

Drew_2

John,

Before you add anything to the water, take a look at this
article, "Water Samples Needed for Warranty Claims"http://www.heatlink.com/pdf/mar2001.pdf. It's important that the additive put into a system have data to back-up the claims that are made or a long history of use
with good results. Most customers expect the system to work
well thru the first decade of use with very few problems.

Drew

John T_2

System treatment

looked at a job tonight that is going to need a corrosion inhibitor. Staple-up system with a LOT of non-barrier tubing. System content could be as high as 75 - 100 gallons (rough estimate). Is there a corrosion inhibitor that can be used that would be less problematic than glycol? (heat transfer, expansion rate, viscosity) Whould it be easier to obtain/maintain glycol? (freeze protection not really an issue) What about cost? I've never used an inhibitor by itself.


John Taylor

Custom Climate Systems, Inc.

Whitmore Lake, Michigan

Glen

I would use both

& do quite often to extend life of system when oxygen is an issue. I use the Heat link moly inhibitor and polypropylene glycol most times - but have used Fernox with excellent success too. The client will have to buy into annual pH and glycol tests as well.

Mike Kraft

How about.........

isolating the tube with a heat exchanger?If glycol is needed for freeze protection you can still add antifreeze.But the HX will prevent 02 diffusion to your equipment.

cheese

hot_rod

What type of tube?

I'd stay away from glycol, unless freeze protection is needed. Expensive, messy, changes pump spec, etc, etc.

Of all the various brands of inhibitors I have used, so far the best is this Rhomar product. It's the only product that I know of that was blended specfically for modern hydronic applications. Blended to be used with iron, steel, copper, stainless, yellow metals (brass etc) and aluminum.

They also have a cleaner that I highly recommend you use first to flush and condition the system. 800-543-5975

hot rod

heatboy

"Expert in Silent Warmth" ™

John T_2

Thanks Hot Rod

Was hoping someone might be able to make a recommendation of a product they had some experience with. Cleaner sounds like a good idea too. I know hx isolation would be best but the cost of replacing all the iron components would be prohibitive. The designer believes neither is required so I kind of sound like chicken little.

Thanks again.


John Taylor
Custom Climate Systems, Inc.
Whitmore Lake, Michigan

hot_rod

Glad to see Heatlink

take a position on water quality. Will they test water and treatments as a service to their customers?

Water chemestry and water treatment, as you know, is a very complex science. Other tube manufactures have walked this road with mixed results. You may recall others that sold cleaners and conditioners as part of the package.

I have done a lot of research in this area. Talked to a handful of chemical and heat transfer chemical experts. Designing a cleaner and inhibitor to work with all the modern hydronic components, buffer both ends of the ph range, provide O2 scavangers, film providers, disperents, and be enviromently friendly is a very tall order.

Add to this the unknow quality of water that will be blended in, shelf life, enviromental concerns, etc and you have a real challange.

hot rod

Tom Meyer

A non-oxygen barrier staple up tubing system?

John T:

Did you say you have a non-oxygen barrier staple-up tubing system with ferrous components, no water treatment, no isolating heat exchanger, and the designer doesn't think there is a problem?

You're not Chicken Little. You have every right to be concerned.

Senior Designer/Trainer
Precision Hydronics Corporation
www.precisionhydronics.com