Microbes in Stagnant Water Heat Exchanger

[iainuts]

I have a large, water filled vessel with a tube bundle used for heating the gas going through the bundle. Water is electrically heated and the vessel is insulated. Process materials are all 300 stainless steel. Vessel is carbon steel, not pressurized. Vessel is outdoors in Vermont and the water remains inside the vessel indefinately (it is not circulated outside of the vessel). Nominal temperature is 120 F but I'd like to reduce that to 70 F due to process conditions.

My concern regards microbes in the water. The top is not open, but the vessel isn't sealed either, so there's every possibility for things to get in and begin growing. The higher temperature may help with that but even so, is there a better way to keep micro-organisms out of the water? What kind of additives could be put in and at what ratio? (ie: gallons of additive per gallons of water)

 

[unclesyd]

Could you comeback with a little more details about the water and storage system?

MIC is a very definite possibility and if your system had any age on it has probably already started.
Once MIC gets started it is extremely hard to
eradicate it.

Here are two sites that have some information on MIC and some possible biocides that may work for you. If you are lucky and MIC hasn't started I would look for a film forming type of biocide

http://www.mic-test.com/library1

http://www.huguenotlabs.com/micTreatmentChemicals.html

 

[MJCronin]

Souns like a stainless "still" used for Vermont moonshine...

I used to live in Vermont,,,!!!!

To keep the bugs from growing, look to the swimming pool group of chemicals (but be certain to stay away from chlorine and chlorides...they will pit your SS tanks)

Consider a periodic "shock" of the tank with a maintenance treatment follow-up.

The people in the beer business use SS tanks, call a water treatment vendor and start talking with them.

NALCO....perhaps..??

-MJC

 

[iainuts]

Thanks for the responces. I contacted a company that specializes in water treatment, so at this point I'll be using them to resolve this issue. Thanks again.

 

[unclesyd]

Make sure the company you select is well versed in science of treating water for the bugs of rust.

 

[BillBirch]

Why not simply dose it with anti-freeze? That should stop bugs growing, and should your electricity fail, your water will be protected.