Glycol Contamination
Glycol Contamination
(OP)
To All,
Due to an internal failure to a small copper heat exchanger, seawater contaminated the glycol coolant. It formed a heavy sludge which completely gummed up the cooling system. The propylene glycol used was a reddish color. At this stage we haven't been able to disconnect the heat exchanger to investigate the internals. However, we will probably replace it with cupro nickel at a later stage. Also is the glycol mixture we are using correct? We need to inhibit corrosion.
Thanks in anticipation
Due to an internal failure to a small copper heat exchanger, seawater contaminated the glycol coolant. It formed a heavy sludge which completely gummed up the cooling system. The propylene glycol used was a reddish color. At this stage we haven't been able to disconnect the heat exchanger to investigate the internals. However, we will probably replace it with cupro nickel at a later stage. Also is the glycol mixture we are using correct? We need to inhibit corrosion.
Thanks in anticipation





RE: Glycol Contamination
Commercial glycol coolants contain _other_ stuff, I don't know what, for that purpose, and it's plainly consumed in doing its job, so periodic flushing and replacement is recommended.
We can't evaluate whether the mixture you are using is correct for your application, because you haven't told us what the mixture is, and you haven't told us the application. Even the best of us here are not _that_ good.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Glycol Contamination
You need to discuss this with your supplier and identify if they have a corrosion inhibitor or whether you need to find an after-market inhibitor.
TTFN
RE: Glycol Contamination
We are an OEM providing hypochlorite generators. This particular application is on board a fishing vessel in the Bering Sea. The heat exchanger is a commercially available shell and tube, specifically for seawater applications. The coolant is recirculated through the heat exchanger to cool the silicon controlled rectifier (SCR). The flow rate is very low assisted by a 130W 1/2" pump.
The PG used was obtained at the local auto parts store and we assumed that it contained corrosion inhibitors.
The unit has been operating less than 3 months and after cleaning out the copper water ways in the SCRs there doesn't appear to be any corrosion. It seems that the seawater contamination caused the PG to gum up.
My question is whether propylene glycol is the correct coolant for this type of applicaton.
RE: Glycol Contamination
But back you your situation. I presume that you bought commercial anti-freeze. That you first flushed the system to make sure that there was no oil or other residue in it. And then filled it with a 50/50 mixture. Right?
This product should work fine if your system is clean and you dilute it with clean water.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Corrosion, every where, all the time.
Manage it or it will manage you.
http://www.trent-tube.com/contact/Tech_Assist.cfm
RE: Glycol Contamination
TTFN