Water quality, geothermal

GW · February 18

I don’t know how many geothermal guys are on this page.

We did a swap out, I took a sample of water, filled up a little 8 ounce bottle. What are you all using to test the water? It smelled a little punky. I told the customer flushing out the solution would be a different trip. Added costs.

I bought a cheap PH tester years ago, but never fully trusted it.

Yesterday the leaving water temperature is in the high 30s yesterday. Today it’s in the mid 40s.I left my clamp on thermometer there for the customer keep an eye on it. If it stays in the mid high 30s or warmer, I’ll push all the old stuff out and replace it with water

I insulated those rubber hoses this morning, it’s a very pretty thing.

hot_rod · February 18

there are a number of different geo fluids used, PG propylene glycol, methanol and ethanol.

or is it plain water, no freeze protection?

Water should be tested first for Ph hardness, TDS at the minimum

A smell would indicate it has chemicals, antifreeze or some bacteria growth.

If it is an un know fluid, you may need to flush and start over

GW · February 18

yes original people are long gone.

Based on the smell, it's definitely not plain water

If it rides above freezing, just toss the old stuff, yes?

Are there still places that analyzes the water?

hot_rod · February 18

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1843385#Comment_1843385

I think if you spent money to have it analyzed, you probably end up dumping it anyways. May as well skip that step? Does it smell like alchol, or whiskey? Taste it!, just kidding. But a drop of PG will have a sweet taste to it, which is why dogs are attracted to spilled antifreeze.

Start with good water and new inhibited antifreeze. How cold do you need to protect to?

Some geo contractors will use glycol for moderate temperature protection. The alcohols for higher freeze protection. Probably due to the pumping power required for high % glycol mix. Many in Missouri use plain water and keep all the piping below frost level.

Various opinions on which fluid is best.

I did have a major pump manufacturer tell me that their circulators are not intended to pump flammable liquids like ethanol (55° flash point) or methanols?? Keep your soldering torch away from the fluid!

Notice the warning in red print at the bottom of the Geo Safe page. I guess the word safe can be interpreted different ways :)

Maybe the R-290 folks need to talk with the geo fluid folks🤔

Looks like you have a push/ pull pump block, with high head circs, you need to run some calculations to assure it will circulate and transfer well enough if you consider a PG mix.

https://corecheminc.com/propylene-glycol-vs-ethanol-a-case-for-ethanol-in-geothermal-systems/

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mattmia2 · February 18

aren't ethylene and propylene glycol also flammable? Wasn't that how fieros would catch fire, the cooling lines running from the front to the rear engine would rupture and cause a fire.

Alcohol mixtures with enough water are not flammable.

pecmsg · February 18

Get it analyze so you know. The customer pays for that.
now you’ll know what your dealing with.

EBEBRATT-Ed · February 18

I would test the freeze protection level. If it is bad toss the stuff and start over. Probably should do that anyhow.

Water Furnace is good stuff. I put a few in way back in the early-mid 90s

hot_rod · February 18

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1843421#Comment_1843421

PG in your E-cigs needs to get around 370F to vaporize. It is used as a carrier for nicotine, creates the vapor to give you the smoking sensation.

EG has a lower flash point.

Rare to see hydronic glycol mix over 50% so I would guess the flamability is low. I've soldered around glycol mixes and on pipes with residual PG and have not had a flame out.👨‍🚒

I've not seen this warning on any hydronic glycols.

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GW · February 19

it smells sweet but a little pungy, like many glycol antifreeze systems when we do a boiler job.

I have a system at my- just water. Never seen it below 40 leaving water temperature. But—- I use the Viessmann gas boiler with floor heating most always.

maybe I’ll try to light some up. 😀

RandyHolt · February 24

Hello Gary,

CORECHEM would be happy to run an analysis on your fluid:

Heat Transfer Fluid Testing - CORECHEM Inc.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give us a call at (865) 524-4239.

Kind Regards,

Randy Holt

HeatingHelp.com · February 24

@GW, after seeing your discussion, we reached out to our friend and geothermal expert @JayEgg. He recommended that @RandyHolt join our discussion, as his company does fluid testing. Thanks for joining our community and being a resource for us, Randy!

(@pecmsg, we appreciate your flag and keeping an eye out, but this post isn't spam. Thanks!)

GW · February 24

Randy thanks I’ll message you

pecmsg · February 24

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1844748#Comment_1844748

Welcome @RandyHolt

Water quality, geothermal

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