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How to teflon-coat a heat exchanger

Is there any company making Teflon coated water heater coils? How can we eliminate lime scale deposition on water heater elements>

Thank you.

S. Gowrinath
- Salem, India

Hi, Gowrinath.

Although I'm not personally familiar with any companies making teflon coated metal steam coils, S., a number of companies make steam coils made of teflon tubing. George Fischer can probably help you. Thanks.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2007

My company would like to explore the possibility of avoiding the build up of scale (mostly calcium carbonate etc.) in a heat exchanger which uses well water, by coating the water-contacting surface with some type of Teflon/fluoropolymer to prevent the precipitates from adhering. This is a sub-boiling point environment with little corrosive potential, no cavitation and little abrasion (the water is filtered). The principle problem is the fact that the surface that needs to be treated is the inside of a (fluted) tube .8 inches in diameter and 15 feet long (this tube is coiled so that it occupies a space roughly 2 ft by 2 ft by 4 inches). The material is cupro-nickel. The only process that I have been told might work involves treatment with RO-59. Would anyone care to guess how well the Teflon layer will hold up, or have any other suggestions?

Your advice is very much appreciated.

Mark Stowe
- Gainesville, Florida

Mark:

I have used many of the RO-59 products that you mentioned with good success in reducing the coefficient of friction. Keep in mind that this is an aqueous mix of Teflon(tm)particles. I do not know how this will effectively work to keep the buildup off your parts in question. However, I could suggest using a product from that company using the highest amount of solids in their solution. In doing so, you will effectively place the thickest barrier on the part to prevent any buildup.

Ed Budman [dec]
- Pennsylvania
With deep sadness we advise that our good friend Ed passed away Nov. 24, 2018

I think it is difficult to coat a pipe from inside; it is not impossible. Maybe using a lined pipe with PTFE will save everyone energy.
You coat an inside by spraying or rotating and heating.

Ahmed Agamieh
- Cairo, Egypt
2006

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