Avoiding Electrolysis

I think your boss meant to say galvanic corrosion, not electrolysis. Galvanic corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals are immersed in an electrolyte; electrolysis is a process whereby DC power is used to break water down into hydrogen and oxygen.

Do you fabricate your own heat exchangers, or do you get it from a supplier? If it's the latter, the simplest solution to your problem would be to check with your vendor.

I agree with HeavyBreather. Google "galvanic corrosion rates" and you'll find a host of info on this topic.

http://www.qsl.net/n9zia/electrochemical.html

see also " Re: Electrolysis in our dry kilns is giving us problems "

Normally a zinc sacrificial anode is used for this purpose.

Small zinc anodes are avalible everywhere. You can find them in McMaster Carr that are in the form of a pipe plug that may be installed with little or no trouble.

Thor,

Can you call one of the manufacturers of the heat sinks for information? I bet they have it.

Good luck,

Bluezone

Thanks for all of your help. The best bit of info was that I was calling it the wrong name (no wonder I kept getting hits for hair removal).

The most concise website I saw was this one: http://www.ocean.udel.edu/seagrant/publications/corrosion.html. It has all the info together and has the potential voltages listed as well.

I am going to ask the potential heat exchanger suppliers about it as well and see how they respond.

Thanks again!

I think it always happens at less you use water without minerals or some add o avoid that process like is commonly used in water coolants for cars.-

Check Nalcool 2000 at a concentrate of 1200-1500 ppm. Aboard Drilling Rigs we use this chemical in all our cooling water circuts.

Galvanic corrosion is not just an issue of potential difference.

Galvanic corrosion is a function also of the conductivity of electrolyte and area ratio between the two materials. copper is anodic to stainless steel and will corrodes.

If the area of Copper is higher than the area of Stainless Steel the effect of galvanic corrosion will be reduced.

galvanic corrosion prevention

S.

Is your 'coolant loop' a closed system? If it is you could use an antifreeze additive to stop corrosion or a domestic inhibitor like Ferminox.