What is the best cleaner to de-scale a heat exchanger stack?

[longjohnsilver]

Not sure if it’s already been mentioned, but if cleaning with Rydlyme or the like, remove your anodes otherwise they will be eaten away. I also confirm that using a pump to continuously circulate the acid/cleaner is very effective.

 

[oldgit]

Not sure if it’s already been mentioned, but if cleaning with Rydlyme or the like, remove your anodes otherwise they will be eaten away. I also confirm that using a pump to continuously circulate the acid/cleaner is very effective.

+1
New ones cost virtually nothing compared to a new heat exchanger and probably a damm sight easier to undo and get off .

 

[Neeves]

Acid swells rubber.

Take the hose pipes off and gently crush them, if there is calcium you will 'feel' it crush and break - if there is any scale it will crack and delaminate from the rubber hosepipe. Flush from an open tap

If there is no calcium - why use acid.

How exactly does the OP know he has any scale? He does not say he has a scaling problem (though that could be the interpretation). Maybe he is under the impression that he must have scale because his kettle furs up at home.

It seems the solutions assume he has scale and we have exotic ideas of using spare Bilge pumps to flush acid through his system - without anyone wondering whether there is actually any scale. Acid should not be used lightly, especially where rubber is involved. No-one knows what his hose pipes are made from.

Jonathan

 

[ip485]

I would only add that if the stack is more than 5 or so years old, I would be surprised if there isnt some scale, even it it is light.

I dont think Rydlyme would do any harm, and if it doesnt froth, no harm done other than cost and time and at least you know the system is clean. Not for everyone, but it can be a lot easier than the alternatives. Obvioulsy just stop passing it through when it has done its job.

 

[PaulRainbow]

For heavens sake!

The OP asked how to descale a heat exchanger. That's the question and that's what should be answered.

When someone asks about an anchor, perhaps i should assume he really needs a new chart plotter instead and offer some suggestions.

As for attacking rubber, Rydlyme is specifically made for descaling cooling systems without dismantling and probing delicate tube stacks with all sorts of suggested metal objects.

From the Rydlyme site:

"RYDLYME is non-corrosive and will not erode, pit, oxidize or have other detrimental effects on materials such as: iron; copper; fibre; rubber; steel; plastic; brass; ceramic; glass; titanium; nickel; stainless; and other materials associated with water-based equipment. "

Home - Rydlyme Descaler

 

[rogerthebodger]

The stack is a Bowman unit for a Perkins. I don't want to damage any parts.
Is there a specific tool to rod the tubes too?
Many thanks,

For heavens sake!

The OP asked how to descale a heat exchanger. That's the question and that's what should be answered.

Paul the OP in his title talked about descaling has heat exchanger but in the body of his post he asked Is there a specific tool to rod the tubes

So is it a descaling the fresh water side that you and others have posted about or is it just the tubes of the heat exchanger which is the raw water side.

These have 2 different solutions.