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Got something in the water!

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Tom_133
Tom_133 Member Posts: 987
in THE MAIN WALL

I installed a Rinnai I-series boiler a few years ago, probably 6 or so. He has had a couple minor issues, like a few circs, and an internal pipe going bad in the boiler. He has been using his fuel company to get the work done. Recently he reached back out to me, and here are a couple pics of the circs internally. What the heck causes this? He may also have onyx tubing in the slab??

IMG_9818.JPEG IMG_9824.JPEG
Tom
Montpelier Vt

Comments

  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Member Posts: 4,777

    That's from oxygen intrusion, either from the Onix tubing or somewhere else.

    Onix has an aluminum oxygen barrier, but from what I've heard, oxygen still gets through.

    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
    mattmia2
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,226

    either oxygen ingress through tubing that isn't oxygen barrier or that has an oxygen barrier that has somehow failed or it is leaking somewhere and getting a lot of makeup water that brings oxygen with it.

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 27,715

    rust! Caused by sir (oxygen) getting into the system

    Is it an open system, combination dhw and heat?

    Connected to a fill valve?

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 27,520

    Well that's a right mess. As has been said, mostly oxygen corrosion. Which is all very fine, but i think you may have a horrible time getting it cleaned up, if you can do it all. Hate to say it, but it may be cheaper to replace it.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 27,715

    The earlier rubber pre Onix, Entran tubes could do that to a system in a years time! The higher the operating temperature the more O2 they suck.

    Those sludge, rust deposits are probably everywhere in the system. There are some cleaers specifically for rust deposits, it may take a few treatments and power flushings.

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    GGross
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 17,226

    if it is the tubing you can either set it up as a system with no ferrous components, probably using a heat exchanger or you can add inhibitor to it and keep adding inhibitor. as the oxygen scavenger in the inhibitor is consumed you have to add more inhibitor s if you want to keep the system from consuming itself you need to periodically add more inhibitor.

    make sure it isn't just leaking first.

  • Tom_133
    Tom_133 Member Posts: 987

    Thanks All,

    I had that sneaking suspicion. A heat exchanger and a thorough cleaning and oxygen scavenger is my suggestion. We will see what they say!

    Tom
    Montpelier Vt
    PC7060

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