Salt quench bath boil over - cause?
Salt quench bath boil over - cause?
(OP)
Tonight i had a big boil over in my salt pot. I think it soaked up the dampness over the summer in my basement - i left the cap off for at least two months. dumb i know.
Can i boil the water off by holding at the boiling temp for a while? heck, it started boiling at only 550F!! It was like a pepsi opening, ran over the side, shorted out both burners ($$$).. I need a splash guard for sure.
Can i boil the water off by holding at the boiling temp for a while? heck, it started boiling at only 550F!! It was like a pepsi opening, ran over the side, shorted out both burners ($$$).. I need a splash guard for sure.





RE: Salt quench bath boil over - cause?
Depending on your bath composition you may have irreversibly damaged it. Some hydrated salts have to taken to pretty high temperature to become anhydrous.
I would get with your bath supplier and discuss the ways and means to rectify you salt bath if possible.
RE: Salt quench bath boil over - cause?
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I'm going to Contact Glen at Hubbard Hall and see if i can boil it out slowly.
Heating rate did not change, that's why i was so surprised initially.. i have it low and slow like a bbq.
When you say damaged i think what that means.. is it just elevated boiling point? or is the salt haet transfer now slowed down?
RE: Salt quench bath boil over - cause?
I think the biggest problem in your case there is a possibility that the bath will superheat and erupt when anything is put into it.
You might try to slowly heat the bath to bubble point and hold it there for several hours and they very slowly increment the temperature a few degerees a at time. After each rise in temperature hold for a few minutes and see what happens. I Still would get with your supplier concerning remediation.
Until you change out the bath or successfully rectify it I would put something between the bath and any personnel. There is a still the possibility that the bath will erupt.
Do not cover with a tight fitting cover unless cold.
I would not attempt to agitate the bath.
Again I recommend getting with your supplier about rectifying the salt bath or better yet if the salt bath is relatively small dump it and start over.
RE: Salt quench bath boil over - cause?
Excellent call on the bath looking 'fixed' but still erupting when parts are added.
I'll try to salvage the cylinder.. Especially since the stirring prop and thermocouple are burried inside!
The two electric burners are toast.. along with both SSR's.. Learned a lesson there two, larger surface area burners mean even contact upon initial heating, less hot spots (that was an issue also).
I think we got this one solved, i'll let you know what Glen from Hubbard Hall says.
These lessons dont come easy.