Acid Cleaning steam boiler in one pipe system

The Steam Whisperer · May 19

WE have a couple of 2 -3 million btu steam boilers that need acid cleaning. I am concerned the fumes will go out into the system and out the radiator vents in the living units.

What is the experience of others with this situation. There is no king valve to isolate the boilers from the system.

Mad Dog_2 · May 19

What kind of acid? Mad Dog

The Steam Whisperer · May 19

Calci Solve

deyparts.com/product/nu-calgon-calci-solve-one-gallon-4134-08?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&utm_term=&utm_content=&campaign_id=17580122324&adgroup=&adgroup_id=&network=x&device=c&matchtype=&placement=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17335597089&gbraid=0AAAAACPje7PzvRNPk9cpU04Da3Eu0aL5v&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlLDQBhDjARIsAPlIefGoRP_5gQeceqasNXzkBbyfNDzGgp-FGSm8ghzQ_23Ks2K6wNJLxhYaAibXEALw_wcB

pecmsg · May 19

how do you know they need an Acid Cleaning?

EBEBRATT-Ed · May 20

4134_sds_eng_v21.pdf

Attached is the SDS.

I am the farthest thing from a chemical expert there is.

But to me these reads like something you wouldn't want to breathe.

Mad Dog_2 · May 20

Definitely not..I've used Muriatic acid outdoors to clean rust off of concrete. Your concern is very real. With no King Valves or Isolation valves on the returns, there is no guarantee you can contain and then purge it out. If I were you, I wouldn't do it unless An Engineer and OSHA Competent Person signed off on it. Mad Dog

mattmia2 · May 20

how much are you diluting it, that will make a big difference. taping up the vents would keep it out of the building, i'd be concerned about flushing the acid formed from the vapors up in the system out.

what are you trying to accomplish here and could you use something like citric acid that doesn't form vapors

Mad Dog_2 · May 20

We've also used it to burn out mineral building on wells. Once again, all outdoors and the ability to flush everything out with copious amounts of water. At the VERY LEAST, building inhabitants could complain of eye, nasal and lung 🫁 irritation. Mad Dog

ChrisJ · May 20

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1896930#Comment_1896930

I use it in my pool from time to time and yeah....

You don't want to be down wind of that. Even highly diluted those fumes are as welcoming as an outhouse breeze

Jamie Hall · May 20

The best I can say is that it will work. The building should NOT be occupied when it is in use, and the entire heating system must be thoroughly purged of vapours before the building is reoccupied — and I honestly have absolutely no idea how to do that with a one pipe steam system.

There must be some very very good reason you need to use something like that?

mattmia2 · May 20

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1896938#Comment_1896938

not just vapors but any moisture in the system when the hydrogen chloride gas contacts it will form a hydrochloric acid solution in that water so you need to flush that water out too(and that acid may have unintended consequences).

which is also what happens when it meets the moisture in your respiratory tract.

Mad Dog_2 · May 20

I'm not even an amatuer Metalurgist, but I would be concerned about doing some chemical damage to the air vents too. This sounds like the position many of us are put in often: You bend over backwards at great risk to TRY and save the client the great expense of installing new equipment. Tread carefully on this. Mad Dog

mattmia2 · May 20

maybe contact fernox or someone like that and see what they recommend for use inside a building.

The Steam Whisperer · May 20

There are very heavy mineral deposits in the boilers that should be removed.

ChrisJ · May 20

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1896978#Comment_1896978

Any chance you could get away with using citric acid instead?

The Steam Whisperer · May 20

I'll check into that.

mattmia2 · May 20

or phosphoric or any of the acids that aren't a gas in their anhydrous form.

EBEBRATT-Ed · May 20

If it has to be used, then I would install valves on the boiler for isolation and flushing so. I would want someone to sign off on its use, so you have no responsibility.

Acid Cleaning steam boiler in one pipe system

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