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Copper Heat Exchanger Corrosion

November 6, 2008

I have a client that uses copper heat exchanger to heat up few drying rooms. Steam is use in the heat exchanger and give is heat to the ambient air as air passes trough the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger are custom made I'm not sure of the copper type. The exchangers have to be replaced often because general and pitting corrosion occurs rapidly (1 or 2 years). PH of the condensate is located between 7 to 8.5. What would be your recommendation to prevent that corrosion?

Louis-David Gouin
engineer - Canada

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First of two simultaneous responses -- November 13, 2008

What might be corrosive in the air stream? Pitting can be attributed to many different contaminants. Copper heat exchangers are expensive. Best option might be a coil made of a different alloy or even protective coating for the exchanger surfaces.

Mike Bielamowicz
- Jacksonville, Florida, USA

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Second of two simultaneous responses -- November 14, 2008

Sir, I assume this is a closed-loop system. As such it would appear that the pH is too alkaline and needs to be more acidic.

adv.
We have citric acid solution, safe to metals yet activated by heat. Developed for boilers on ships.

Best of luck

Barry Feinman
BarrysRestoreItAll

Carlsbad, California