Fresh water sys experts - SuperStor Effervescence

[Skipper]

Just commissioned the domestic water system for Spring 2 weeks ago. I had drained the system for winterizing back in November, with some AF through the cold side to set the pump and a line that is more difficult to drain. Some AF entered the water heater, but it was drained again.

Yesterday, water from the hot side is effervescent, to the point of a dry-ice-style mist emitting momentarily from the top of the cup into which I'm pouring water. Also, it is tinged a bit purplish-gray. The AF I used was pink, and there has been several gallons of water run through it since.

The cold side is clear and perfect.

I had installed a new HTP SuperStor 6g water heater last Spring, so I'd think there is no issue there.

The only thing in the system other than water is a little chlorine bleach. I cleaned the tanks and shocked the system at commissioning, and then refilled the tanks. There may be a little more bleach percentage in the heater than is now in the tanks, but it can't be much. I only put < an ounce in there with about 15 gal water to do the shock.

Any ideas? What is causing the fizz and coloring on the hot side?

 

[Ron20324]

...What is causing the fizz and coloring on the hot side?

I was getting the same thing, but I had AF in the water heater all winter. It took 10 or 15 seconds to get the water to run clear. I THINK it has cleared up, now on my second tank of fresh water. I'll be there for an update after the O's game at ELEVEN A.M. ?!?

 

[Skipper]

Sorry to bring this back to the top. I won't do it again. But Shirley* someone else has seen this and knows what it is.

*Airplane - 1980

 

[kloudie1]

Don't call me Shirley!
Probably the low boiling material (alcohol from antifreeze) flashing off as heat is added and pressure released.. Should clear after more rinsing.. The color may be from the pink and a dark color from the chlorine acting on the element .. again should clear after some more flushing.
EDIT Might be prudent to not use either heating element (electric or exchanger) until completely flushed of pink and chlorine shock.

 

[Skipper]

Don't call me Shirley!
Should clear after more rinsing.. The color may be from the pink and a dark color from the chlorine acting on the element .. again should clear after some more flushing.

Thank you. I'll run more water through it.

If the chlorine acting on the element, is this damaging the heater? It's all stainless inside. I thought everyone used bleach in fresh water tanks. I always have, but this is my 1st HTP SuperStor stainless water heater. The HTP had been adamantly recommended on this board, so I bought it when the 30 year-old Raritan gave out.

 

[CarlN]

My chemistry is rusty - but I think the effervesence may be hydrogen created by a reaction of the bleach with the propylene glycol. You might have been able to get a bang out of it with a match

The antifreeze probably didn't get fully flushed from the hotwater heater before the bleach was put in.

But another possibility is that water remained in the bottom of the Superstor and froze cracking the tank and that the insulating foam is somehow reacting. Any sign of leaks? The Superstor is tricky to winterize as there is no drain right at the bottom.

 

[Skipper]

My chemistry is rusty - but I think the effervesence may be hydrogen created by a reaction of the bleach with the propylene glycol. You might have been able to get a bang out of it with a match

The antifreeze probably didn't get fully flushed from the hotwater heater before the bleach was put in.

But another possibility is that water remained in the bottom of the Superstor and froze cracking the tank and that the insulating foam is somehow reacting. Any sign of leaks? The Superstor is tricky to winterize as there is no drain right at the bottom.

hydrogen!? eek!

Thanks for the input. I'll check for leaks. I didn't see any last weekend.

I doubt that the tank cracked. It seems the water would have had plenty of room to freeze. Very little in there. If it did crack, I'm going to be a little upset, after the amazing amount of work and $ it took to do the upgrade, and since I followed winterizing protocol.

 

[kloudie1]

interesting.. I explored a little further and find that the propylene glycol is in itself a "sanitizer" as stated in a report from Dow Chem .. so it wouldn't seem to be necessary to flush with bleach ? Not a whole lot of water system antifreeze required here, except in campers and motorhomes that are exposed during the 3-4 freezes that we might get in a winter.
I wouldn't think measurable damage would have been caused, but as I stated, i wouldn't use either heating element until I was sure that all stuff was flushed clear. Sail On, Skiipper.