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Does deionized water affect nickel plated aluminum?

Q. This is a two part question. I work with a research center that is developing an plant growth apparatus that can be sent into space as a payload. We are having trouble with the heat exchanger which is made of a nickel plated aluminum. We run deionized water through the apparatus and wonder if this may be affecting the heat exchanger. The other part of my question is, is it possible to convert a water deionizer into an distillation still?

Thank you,

Andrea Hanson
University of Colorado - Boulder, Colorado, USA
2003

Q. Hi.
We are running heat exchanger application where aluminum parts are nickel plated and DI water is used to prevent from bacteria to grow, since we are running it for space application.
Recently our system got clogged. When we disassembled the unit, there were hard deposits of green and white color. Chemical analysis showed nickel oxide and aluminum oxide.
Does anyone know if chem film will not react with DI water?

Dmitriy Pats
designer - Orlando, Florida, USA
May 31, 2013

A. Dmitriy Pats
designer - Orlando, Florida, USA
Hi,
there is some dissolved oxygen in DM water which can react with Ni metal. Try some oxygen scavenger to remove this dissolved oxygen; you will definitely get the results
Rajesh Bassi
India

Rajesh Bassi
Electroplating - Ludhiana, Punjab, India
June 5, 2013

June 5, 2013

A. Hi Dmitiry
Demineralised water is what it says. All the mineral ions have been removed. However the organic contaminants, bacteria etc remain so it is not suitable for your original purpose. you might try carbon treating to remove organics or distilled water. Be careful because much water sold as distilled is actually demineralised. You could also try a broad spectrum biocide or some other heat exchange fluid.

Geoff Smith
Hampshire, England

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