[RE-wrenches] Thermal storage water stabilizer

[matt at solar-energy-solutions.com]

We have used Seltrol 112 as an inhibitor in large unpressurized drainback
systems based on a recommendation from Holocene.

I have previously worked on large unpressurized systems from other
installers and not seen any issues with their tap water-only systems
(though I have seen multiple issues with tank corrosion due to incorrect
tank material specification).

Matt


> Nathan,
>
> We've done a couple of systems with large unpressurized tanks (STSS).
> They work well but there are a couple of things you need to pay attention
> to.  We use tap water to fill the tank which works fine but you have to
> make sure the PH of the water is in the correct range.  I can't remember
> what that is off hand but the STSS manual has a whole section on correct
> PH and want to add (I think it's baking soda) to correct the PH.  The
> second tip is make sure all the ports and the lid are properly sealed with
> calk.  The STSS tanks come with the calk, I'm not sure if other brands
> include it.  If you don't seal all the openings well when the tank heats
> up and produces condensation that water will leak out the ports and create
> a mess and reduce the efficiency of the insulation.
>
> We used to make our own heat exchangers with K soft copper and trex to
> hold it all together.  That worked well on most systems but we had one
> where the copper eroded where it was in contact with the trex.   We think
> it was due to improper PH of the water in the tank. I'd recommend buying
> the heat exchangers from the manufacture.
>
> Good luck,
> Will
>
> __________________________________________________________________________________________
> Will White
> Regional Field Operations Manager - New England
>
> Real Goods Solar
> 64 Main St.
> Montpelier, VT 05602
> Tel: (802) 223-7804
> Cell: (802) 234-3167
> www.realgoodssolar.com<http://www.realgoodssolar.com/>
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>
>
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Nathan
> Stumpff
> Sent: Friday, August 10, 2012 3:03 PM
> To: re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Thermal storage water stabilizer
>
> Thermal wrenches,
>
> I have a series of upcoming projects involving large (up to 10,000 gallon)
> water storage. They are closed (air-tight) but unpressurized (oversized
> expansion capability) systems, basically just a mass of water. We move
> heat in (solar, masonry heater) and out (DHW, space heating) exclusively
> via heat exchangers, so once we seal up the lid there is no introduction
> of any new material, including air, until bladder replacement or other
> maintenance, hopefully a long time off.
>
> Obviously de-ionized water would be the best choice for initial fill, but
> it is not going to happen. My thought is that with no new source of
> oxygen, minerals, etc., the small amounts that will be present on fill up
> can't pose a big problem.
>
> Anyone with experience here? Any ideas or leads for a stabilizer to add on
> initial fill? What problems am I not seeing?
>
> Many thanks,
> -Nathan
>
> --
> Nathan J. Stumpff - Arctic Sun, LLC
> NABCEP Certified PV Installer #091209-175
> NABCEP Certified Solar Heating Installer #032412-14
> nathan at arcticsun-llc.com<mailto:nathan at arcticsun-llc.com>
> Office: 907/457-1297
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Matthew Partymiller
Solar Energy Solutions LLC
(859) 312-7456
matt at solar-energy-solutions.com