Used heat exchanger - glycol?

[Bonk]

I just came across a nice used heat exchanger. I can not confirm that glycol has not been run through it (both sides). Is there a way to clean it that makes it safe?

 

[Brad2287]

propylene glycol or ethylene glycol?

 

[Bonk]

Don't know. Could be either or just water.

 

[audger]

well it matters which one, because one is safe to drink a glass of, but the other will kill you.

luckily both are water soluble and should flush out relatively easily.

what are you planning on using this for? and what is it made out of? that matters for what type of chemicals you can clean it with...

 

[outside92129]

can you post a picture?

 

[Bonk]

It's 20 plate copper heat exchanger. I would assume the worst and guess it had ethylene glycol running through it. I would think if one flushed it long enough, then cleaned well it would be safe. I want to use it as a wort chiller.

 

[Bonk]

I dont have a picture but it`s a Lytron LL820G12 if you google it you will get links.

 

[audger]

plate chillers are really hard to clean because you cant get inside most of them. they have lots of little nooks where stuff can get trapped. if you can guarantee that it was only used with some type of glycol, it might be ok to use after a really good flushing. if it was or could have possibly been used with any other chemicals, i wouldnt risk it.

i would hook that up to my pump and boil kettle and circulate 10 gallons of boiling water thru both sides for 10-20 minutes. then hook it up to a garden hose and flush clean water thru it for another few minutes. if its stainless brazed with copper, use some BLC line cleaner or other alkaline soloution to break up anything else inside. unfortunately copper and acid dont mix, so you cant use anything stronger without damaging it.