Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Roger2561 on December 17, 2013, 11:25:08 AM

Title: Flushing Flat Plate Hx
Post by: Roger2561 on December 17, 2013, 11:25:08 AM
Hi all, this spring when I'm no longer using the OWB to heat my home I'm going to flush the flat plate heat exchanger with CLR.  What size pump should I purchase for this procedure?  I'll use the same pump to flush it with water when I'm satisfied that the CLR has done it's job.  Thanks.  Roger 
Title: Re: Flushing Flat Plate Hx
Post by: ITO on December 17, 2013, 01:22:15 PM
 Roger, I use a diluted amount of CLR for back flushing every year at start up, I installed hose bibs and valves on each end of the boiler side of the plate exchanger so I can isolate the HX, I use two garden hoses and start by forcing hot water in a backward direction then reverse direction then I put a small amount of CLR in the end of the hose and run just a small amount of mixture into the HX let it sit for a few minutes and then flush it out for quite a while. Some folks do not like to use CLR and use vinegar because of fear of damage to copper and stainless. Here is what CLR says: http://www.jelmar.com/faqclr.htm (http://www.jelmar.com/faqclr.htm)
 I have done this for a while but have always used a diluted small amount, never had any problems but I wouldn't go crazy with it. I don't use a pump just house pressure.
Title: Re: Flushing Flat Plate Hx
Post by: Roger2561 on December 17, 2013, 04:21:57 PM
ITO - Thanks for the reply.  Is CLR that harsh of a cleaner?  Will vinegar do the same thing and will it need to be diluted too?   Roger