I posted this in the Valve Engineering forum, but thought there might be insight here as well from the side of the water treatment.
I have some ball valves in my system that have started to exhibit higher torque requirements to actuate. I took a couple apart to see what was going on, and noticed that the stem and O-rings seemed rather "dry". The grease appeared to lose all it's lubricating qualities, although it was obvious that it was still there.
The manufacturer says the valves are made with a synthetic grease (Kluebersynth VR 69-252) and EPDM O-rings. We used a sodium nitrite based corrosion inhibitor on the system. Our medium is ethylene glycol/water (50/50).
Is it possible one of these chemicals is reacting with the grease to cause this "drying out"? Any suggestions for other types of grease?
I have some ball valves in my system that have started to exhibit higher torque requirements to actuate. I took a couple apart to see what was going on, and noticed that the stem and O-rings seemed rather "dry". The grease appeared to lose all it's lubricating qualities, although it was obvious that it was still there.
The manufacturer says the valves are made with a synthetic grease (Kluebersynth VR 69-252) and EPDM O-rings. We used a sodium nitrite based corrosion inhibitor on the system. Our medium is ethylene glycol/water (50/50).
Is it possible one of these chemicals is reacting with the grease to cause this "drying out"? Any suggestions for other types of grease?