copper tube corrosion in chlorinated swimming pool water

[xc800great]

NEED ADvICE!!!

I have developed and air/water heat exchanger for use in heating residential swimming pools. Prototype coils used in my heat exchanger are aluminum fin with 1/2" O.D., .018" copper tube. QUESTION: Is this straight copper tube going to be corrosion resistant enough to the chlorinated, and varying PH (6-8) levels found in swimming pools to last for many years?? If not, is there an economical substitute I can use?

Thanks in advance!!!

xc800great

 

[Metalguy]

I think you'll be OK with pure Cu, especially with all that dissolving Al acting as excellent CP.<g>

 

[xc800great]

THX metalguy.

The aluminum fins only have warm air pulled through them though as this is an air/water heat exchanger. You beleive the PH levels are acceptable for plain copper pipe also?

Thanks for input!!

xc800great

 

[Metalguy]

I don't think those pH levels will hurt at all-they're still close to neutral. Your biggest concern should be with water velocity-copper won't tolerate more than a few FPS ~ 4-5 is about as high as you should go.

Also remember to tell all those pool owners who use Cl in any form as a biocide to keep the pH below ~7.5. The Cl has to form hypochlorus acid to kill bacteria/algae, and higher pH's greatly reduce its formation (I used to live in AZ, and owned 2 pools-never again!).

 

[xc800great]

Metal

THX 4 the reply and info regrding the flow rate. I am well below this through the circuits in my coil.

EVERYONE.....HELP!!!!!!!!!!
Need some info as to what PH level the water would have to get to before major corrosion of the copper tubes. Tubes are made of .018&quot; wall 1/2&quot; cu tube. Also, when a pool is &quot;shocked&quot; with chlorine, can this cause problems with these tubes?

xc800

 

[TBP]

All kinds of pool heaters suffer premature deaths due to people adding chemicals BEFORE the heater, rather than after. The high concentrations, combined with heat just eats them alive.