NaCl Crystallization in Refrigeration CaCl2 Brine

[polyroly]

Hello! Our site employs calcium chloride as a secondary refrigerant that is circulated through several heat exchangers for ground freezing.

We have developed an crystallization problem and confirmed with our brine supplier that they have had elevated sodium chloride levels in the brine that we have received from them. I have scoured everything I can think of: Perry's, Lang's handbook of chemistry, calcium chloride handbook, and the good old google web trying to find information on nacl solubility in cacl2 brine but to no avail.

Does anyone have any experience with brine crystallization issues in the evaporator (brine chiller)? The brine chiller is a flooded evaporator operation at appx -45F on the ammonia side.

Thanks,

polyroly

 

[EdStainless]

Mixed salts in a saturated solution is a special chemistry.
There is competition for solubility, and temperature is very important.
Your CaCl ref doesn't give max solubility of other salts?

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube

 

[polyroly]

Yes the chemistry is complex..........part of the reason I am having trouble finding the information without doing a bunch of testing ourselves. The max solubility of other salts is not specifically spelled out in the literature.

 

[bimr]

Your supplier should have the information.