Cryo-Tech

Unknown

After being in the system for only 2 years, the hydronic fluid in this system weeps from nearly every rubber seal as well as around the Taco zone valves.

Is there anything that can be done to prevent this from happening again?

G.W.

The attached shows the relief valve termination.

Andy N._3

water quality

Have you checked the ph of the water in the system? Cryo-Tech has some test strips which you should use to test how corrosive the solution is. This sounds to me like a water quality issue.

just my 1 cent worth.

Andy N.

hot_rod

The easiest fix

would be to remove the antifreeze and use water

If that is not an option, check the ph, also what is the percentage mix. Rarely do you need over 35%. In fact 35% is the max some boiler manufactures allow, mainly the copper tybe types.

That is one of the bigger challanges with any glycol, it's tough to keep inside the pipes. Threaded connections take special attention, they often show leaks several years down the road. If you do have low ph the pipes and connections may be dissolving! While you sleep

Threaded connections in snowmelt systems see a very wide temperature swing on cold start up, often at or below freezing to 180 or more at the boiler piping, depending on piping and return protection method being used.

Yet another challange considering the expansion and contraction forces over a 100F or more delta T. Have fun

hot rod

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Drew_2

35% solution

Do you mean 35% propylene glycol or 35% Noburst or Cryotec?

hot_rod

Using 35% loosely

The best advise for using any glycols or antifreeze would be to READ THE LABEL, or get the manufactures Engineering and Operating Guide, usually free for the asking or easily downloadable.

If the brand of glycol you use has been diluted before it was packaged, you need to know that. Some less expensive brands need to be used full strength to provide adequate freeze protection. Again the label on the container will have that info.

The brand I currently use will give me freeze protection to 5 F and burst protection to -30 at a 35% glycol to water mix. I feel this is adequate for my climate.

The boiler manufactures are concerned with "pumpability" when high percentage mix ratios are used and the fluid is cold. It may not be possible to flow enough through the heat exchangers in low mass boilers to protect them from flashing and eventually coating the inside of the HX.

As you know pump sizing is critical when you start pumping glycols through hydronic systems.

You need to weigh all the criteria, regarding the fluid, the type of exchangers and boilers, and the pump specs based on the temperature and thickness of the fluids.

I think the boiler manufactures pick 35% as a point where problems can start to occur if you haven't researched all the variables involved. Maybe

hot rod

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