Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1189904
WEEKLY EDITION DECEMBER 4, 2019 PAGE 3 Co ld W e at he r Pre ca u tio n s By Karleen Kos, PSAI Executive Director…continued from page 2 Some firms use a combination of methanol and brine. Never use more than 30% methanol in the mixture. Methanol can become flammable. It burns very hot with a colorless flame. If a heater is put in the units, do not allow any methanol to be splashed into a ribbon heater. Methanol on a ribbon heater produces a deadly gas. The only acceptable heater is a calrod heater. The element is about the thickness of a pencil. Check with local disposal site facilities when using salt or methanol. R o ck S alt an d Calci u m C h lo rid e B ri n e 1. Use a 200-gallon (approx.) tank for mixing. 2. Fill the tank with water. 3. Add 100 pounds crystal rock salt. 4. 5. Mix well (an electric drill with a paint mixer works). 6. Pump mixture into truck using a small pump. 7. After filling the tank, run at least three (3) gallons of fresh water through the pump to be sure that all brine is washed out. This mix will be used when the temperature begins to average around 30˚F in the mornings. Increase the calcium chloride to 200 pounds (still to be used with 100 pounds of crystal rock salt) when the temperature begins to remain below freezing throughout the day. The timetable for cold weather servicing must, of course, be worked out according to temperature changes in your particular area. You will need to monitor this procedure carefully; your service technicians should let you know every few days how the mixture is working. An t if r ee z e An alternate method for winterizing units is the use of antifreeze. B e fo r e u s i n g a n t i fr e e z e , yo u m u s t c h e ck w i t h y o u r l o c al w as t e w at e r t r e at m e n t f ac i l it y t o d e t e r m i n e if t h e y w i l l a cc e pt i t i n t o t h e ir s y s t e m . Use ethylene glycol, the main chemical in antifreeze on the market. When you seek the product to purchase, all you are looking for is the ethylene glycol, not the other additives that raise the price. Generally, two (2) ounces of deodorizer should be used with the antifreeze to slightly mask its odor. This may vary based on the product you are using. Check with your supplier to be sure. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11