compressed air---way off topic

5020s rock · Mar 29, 2012

hello fellow americans. well at work we have 2 coils (radiators) 5" x 3", we think the are plugged. i have been blowing them out with the air wand (100 psi). we would like to get up to 200-300 psi. if we use compressed air tanks how long would one last? OR any other ideas would be great. or a way to amplify existing air.

5020s rock · Mar 29, 2012

5 feet x 3 feet

gene bender · Mar 29, 2012

You are talking about a deadly projest. That much air pressure is an accident looking for a place to happen. Your lined hoses ect arent made for that much pressure. Are you saying its plugged externaly or internally. There are chemicals that can be used for the project. Whats the statement we think its plugged it is either plugged or not.

5020s rock · Mar 29, 2012

plugged externally between the heat sinks on the back side. i dont think chemicals would work on this material. the coils are 10" wide (deep) also. we would get some rated hose.

Daryl in PA · Mar 29, 2012

Get a gallon of coil cleaner that the hvac guys use. Spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes, then hose it off. It will look like its cooking the dirt out of the coil.

JML755 · Mar 29, 2012

(quoted from post at 04:18:55 03/29/12) hello fellow americans. well at work we have 2 coils (radiators) 5" x 3", we think the are plugged. i have been blowing them out with the air wand (100 psi). we would like to get up to 200-300 psi. if we use compressed air tanks how long would one last? OR any other ideas would be great. or a way to amplify existing air.

et some compressed nitrogen. We used it for hi-pressure leak testing.

buickanddeere · Mar 29, 2012

Any fins on those coils?

buickanddeere · Mar 29, 2012

Any fins on those coils?

buickanddeere · Mar 29, 2012

Any fins on those coils?

buickanddeere · Mar 29, 2012

Any fins on those coils?

JRSutton · Mar 29, 2012

I have no idea what you're talking about cleaning - no experience there.

But 200lbs is a lot of air pressure - and 300 is LOT more - sounds pretty dangerous.

I'm assuming what you're cleaning can't get wet -and a pressure washer would be of no use?

Jim in Ma. · Mar 29, 2012

Presure washer?

DeltaRed · Mar 29, 2012

That much pressure is a bomb!You should see what happens when a compressor explodes.I have-NOT pretty!DONT DO IT!!I dont want to read your death notice ....

Janicholson · Mar 29, 2012

Dive tanks will get you the pressure, regulators for 300psi can be found and adapted. De rated tanks can also be found cheap. 15 minutes from a full tank through a 1/16"blow nozzle. It will not be OSHA approved. Jim

Russ from MN · Mar 29, 2012

Where I used to work we had a contractor come in once a year with a real pressure washer, powered by an 8V71 Detroit diesel! They would go around the whole plant, spend a couple of days cleaning heat exchangers and coils. This washer would put out about 20,000 psi but they would turn it down to <10,000 and always wash straight on as to not bend any fins, did a good job with straight water.

RodinNS · Mar 29, 2012

Generally a higher flow air blast will do more cleaning for you than higher pressure...
Are you just using a standard blow gun on the end of a 3/8" air hose with 1/4" fittings? That's basically useless...
What I do is get my compressor fully charged then stick a 1/4" high flow nipple in th ecoupler without a gun and use the full flow of the line. That does a reasonably good job of cleaning in about 20 second bursts because that's all my compressor can maintain.
I'd try that first. Too much pressure will damage the heat exchanger if it's got cooling fins on it...
Dive/SCBA compressors will give you lots of pressure but they're also a major expense to operate compared to a shop compressor and they don't make big flow.

Rod

David G · Mar 29, 2012

I would use water instead of air

onefarmer · Mar 29, 2012

When blowing out heater cores, I use a slug of water. Add the water blow with the air.

GeneMO · May 17, 2012

My scuba tank is filled to right at 3,000psi.

The regulator cuts it down though.

I think there has to be a better way though.

The mention of a cleaner sounds better to me.

Using that much air pressure is sure to damage something.

Gene

compressed air---way off topic

5020s rock

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