Water Treatment

Unknown · August 2006

on what's in your water:-)

I'd have a sample of your fill water sent in for testing and then you'd know for sure. I'm of the opinion that ALL hydronic systems should at least be chemically cleaned before commissioning. It's rare that I see water worthy of no treatment whatsoever for a closed loop system. You should talk with George or Dwight at Rhomar Water Management. Check out their site in the "Virtual Trade Show" at the top of your screen. Their two step cleaner/conditioner products are the best around.

Air separation has nothing to do with water quality. The comment you made to your design consultant, probably was not the right thing to say IMO.

<a href="http://forums.invision.net/Thread.cfm?CFApp=2&&Message_ID=247074&_#Message247074/">Waterqualitylink</a>

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Eddy · August 2006

Water Treatment

I am working with a design consultant for a new hydronic system in an office building and he keeps talking about corrosion inhibitors and glycol for the heating loop. I told him that as long as we have a good air seperation system, we don't need no stinking chemicals. He disagrees. What say you?

Al Letellier_20 · August 2006

chemicals ???

Why on earth would he want to do that??? Adding chemicals just causes too many problems, increase viscosity, expansion and pumping requirements, add maintenance costs and is generally a pain in the old toolbox. If freezing issues concern him, constant circulation and a back up generator would probably cost less in the long run. That's my opinion.

Brad White_104 · August 2006

I agree with Gary

It is all in the water. Not advocating chemical warfare, but a good cleaning, passivation of metals (especially when you have a number of different metals in one system), pH adjustment (critical especially for aluminum components is a minimum requirement. I use a water filter to fill my systems and polish with bag filters over time. Even magnets to catch stray iron.

I second Rhomar products.

Brad

Big Johnson · August 2006

Water Quality?

I'll check out that site but in my expierience, chemical treatment eats gaskets, control valves and anything else non-metalic, even when a "professional" is doing the testing.I understand the quality of water concerning hardness and ph and so on , but how much affect does that really have on a system?

Brad White_9 · August 2006

Lots....

pH has the greatest effect on metals as you state and chemicals are the only way to correct that. Sure, if the chemical concentrations are botched, forget it, take your pick. But I have specified treated systems for years and have seen untreated systems side by side. Treatment is clearly advantageous. I have never seen affects on gaskets, seats or other soft materials except for one memorable bad glycol incident.

Certainly is for open cooling towers or steam systems with regular make-up water, but those aside, I know you are comparing closed systems purged of air. Those are what I also refer to.

The only time I would submit to no chemical treatment is in high purity RO/DI water (which is itself corrosive hence stainless steel is used), or in a small all-copper system which has been filled with pure, distilled water. Other than that, too many variables to consider.

You bring up a good question though. I would rather have treatment than not.

My $0.02

Brad

p.s. Given your web name, have a great weekend.

George_10 · August 2006

treatment vs no treatment

Cleaning a system after installing is a smart idea as it gets rid of solder flux, cutting oils, dirt, old flash rust or even old corrosion if the system was in use and the boiler is the change out.

Treating, with our products at least, controls pH, inhibits scale and corrosion and keeps sludge from building up in low aress. The oxygen scavenger grabs oxygen that gets into the system by diffussion and when it is released by the heated water. All metals are protected. The expense after the initial cleaning and treatment is low as it is just a matter of adding new treatment if it is needed.

We are finding out many new areas of concern with these new aluminum heat exchangers. We are working with several boiler manufacturers, and we will have further info on this as we get the results of full testing.

The real point, of all of this, is you cannot treat these new high tech boilers like you could the old cast iron brutes. The loss of efficiency alone will raise the fuel bill higher than the treatment over the life of the boiler.

If it is a change out of a boiler, cleaning the system is an obvious requirement if the old system is gunked up with corrosion particles. These new boilers with their small passageways are not going to work well if the junk is left in the system.

High tech boilers require care and attention to maintain the efficiency they are being sold for. Our products make this happen.

Tim_33 · August 2006

Something to consider, that..

in a system that will never be maintained, a properly located air separator may be the best and only "water treatment" choice.

Chemically treated water will provide the best system and component protection, and system performance for the longest time, IF done properly and consistently. Treated hot and chilled water systems require periodic testing and adjustment to maintain the critical paramters at the correct levels. My experience mimics Brad's in that I have never seen correctly performed water treatment damage anything designed to be part of a heating water system.

Treated and "never touched again" water CAN degrade over time and create a much worse mess than having untreated water. Improperly treated water CAN be worse than untreated water.

Water Treatment

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