HVAC corrosion monitoring for closed circuit systems

Checking water condition is essential for preventing corrosion in closed circuit systems – the pipes and components responsible for plumbing together water-based HVAC plant. Real-time corrosion monitoring tracks the parameters that can signify corrosive conditions, potentially stopping this issue in its tracks.

Parameters including dissolved oxygen, pressure, pH and inhibitor levels are continuously monitored, giving a continuous picture of water condition. If any changes in these parameters occur, responsible parties such as facilities managers, building owners and maintenance teams are instantly alerted. This allows problems to be quickly rectified, therefore avoiding expensive repairs and breakdown.

Sampling, the alternative to corrosion monitoring

Prior to the advent of real-time corrosion monitoring, the sole means of checking condition was water sampling. This process has a number of flaws:

• Sampling only represents a snapshot in time
• A sample can take days to come back, by which time conditions may have changed
• Sampling does not effectively detect for oxygen, the precursor to almost all forms of corrosion
• Sampling focuses on bacteria, which while an indicator of corrosion, can be misleading

Free-flowing bacteria, such as Pseudomonas, is not necessarily causing a problem. It’s when it adheres to the pipe wall that corrosion occurs – a sample will not pick this up. And, by the time bacteria takes hold, it is arguably too late.

When should HVAC corrosion monitoring start?

Corrosion monitoring should begin during pre-commissioning cleaning and then throughout a water systems life. Corrosion can be prevented by having a true picture of water conditions. Furthermore, routine maintenance checks can be reduced and an over-reliance on flushing and dosing avoided.

Corrosion monitoring in BG29 2020

Corrosion monitoring now features as a key part of the newly updated BG29 2020, showing how the industry has moved on. Real-time monitoring solutions like Hevasure’s have made a considerable impact on the best-practice construction and management of closed circuit water systems.

Contact Guardian Water Treatment today to find out how real-time HVAC corrosion monitoring can help your closed circuit water systems run more efficiently and breakdown less, all while reducing flushing and maintenance requirements.