When condensate comes off a heat pump, or any steam-based mechanical equipment, condensate is generated. Why is the condensate corrosive?
2007-06-14 11:22:18 · 3 answers · asked by D-Money 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
It should not be corrosive, unless it is generated by the auxiliary furnace that is required to be used in conjunction with a heat pump if the heat pump is installed in an area where the winter temps drop below about 48 Deg. F.
The gas fired auxiliary furnaces are the high efficiency type which wring all of the heat out of the combustion chamber gas by cooling and condensing it. It is this combustion gas condensate that produces the acids.
A heat pump usually consists of a compressor and condenser only which is a sealed system and cannot produce any products of combustion. When the outdoor temp. drops below about 48 Deg. F, heat pumps cannot produce enough energy and so are supplemented with auxiallary furnaces or heaters whose combustion chambers condensate can be very acidic.
The same for any steam system. The steam side of the heat exchange cycle is sealed and produces no acids, but the combustion side of the steam tubes can have an acid problem if the gaseous products of combustion are allowed to condense on the outside of the tubes, or before they leave the combustion chamber.
2007-06-14 13:11:52 · answer #1 · answered by gatorbait 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water is corrosive. Condensate is very pure water and is very corrosive. Most ground water has minerals in it that tame it down. Condensate does not. It doesn't matter even the condensate from your room air conditioner is corrosive.
2007-06-14 20:38:42 · answer #2 · answered by Roadkill 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the condensate is the atmospheric water condensing....ever hear of acid rain?
2007-06-14 20:02:01 · answer #3 · answered by bombaybubba 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋