Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Looking for information about cleaning IMAX Water Cooling systems

This is topic Looking for information about cleaning IMAX Water Cooling systems in forum Large Format Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Dan Reiter (Member # 1386) on 09-01-2009, 12:25 PM:

While we sell the 12 & 15 K lamps, we do get the occasional question about cooling system care.

Is there a good source, document, or site that has some good info, especially for cleaning out algea and sediment?

Thanks!

Posted by Bob Brown (Member # 1205) on 09-01-2009, 02:19 PM:

Dan,

I would contact IMAX and ask for Vic Benson. He is the guy for GT systems. He sure would have your answers....

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 09-01-2009, 08:09 PM:

1. Disconnect output hose from chiller.

2. Turn on water.

Note: Reverse steps 1 & 2 if you haven't showered in a couple of days.

3. Vacuum algae and sediment from floor. [Devil]

Posted by Dan Reiter (Member # 1386) on 09-03-2009, 11:01 AM:

What agent, chemical, or cleaner have you used when flushing the system?

I guess that is a good place to start, and a big piece of the answer.

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 09-03-2009, 07:39 PM:

I've never actually needed to flush a system. The CCU has several filters which get changed regularly and should eliminate any sediment in the cooling system. A roof-mounted chiller may also have an antifreeze added.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 09-04-2009, 08:10 AM:

I only drained ours a couple of times but never flushed it out

Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 02-06-2011, 09:15 AM:

It has been 520 days since the last post.

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 02-06-2011, 09:15 AM:

The lamphouse circuit should never need cleaning. The chiller/city water loop can be cleaned by whatever procedure a HVAC contractor would clean a chiller loop. I've seen them add some chemical to the chiller water, run it for a while, then flush it really well. I don't know how you might clean a city water loop. Or if you ever need to.

Posted by Jake Spell (Member # 5294) on 02-07-2011, 12:34 AM:

City water can contain minerals and leave behind scale and other deposits lowering the efficiency of the heat exchangers. If it ever gets to this point then a de-scaling solution can be added and circulated but I dont advise this as it WILL eat away the metal in the system, so unless you have tried every other solution and are still getting temps that are too high, dont use a de-scaler.

Posted by Dick Vaughan (Member # 540) on 02-07-2011, 07:10 AM:

Hopefully you shouldn't be running on city water long enough to allow mineral scale building up, it's only there as a backup for when the chilled water system is down.