but I was worried about the fittings.
Indeed, 2024-T4 aluminum fittings will rapidly corrode in a caustic
environment including 6061-T6 tubing all of which are often in flight
rockets.
If caustics are used an immediate follow up with DI water and a final rinse
with an anhydrous, >99% alcohol, should scavenge everything from the system.
Methanol, ethanol or Isopropanol all work just use the dry stuff,i.e. >99%.
I have recently seen 99% IPA on the shelves the past year so it's available
for ~$6/Pt.
1/2 litre.
Ken
On Mon, Oct 18, 2021 at 5:36 AM Peter Fairbrother <peter@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
On 18/10/2021 06:13, Troy Prideaux wrote:
Maybe consider part of a CIP (Clean In Place) process. Something like 5%
solution of caustic (sodium hydroxide) heated to 70-80ish deg C if I
vaguely recall. Pass a given volume through then rinse with a given
volume of clean water. The process is amazingly effective in cleaning
out organic residuals in stainless steel food production lines although
there are probably more steps to it in a large scale industrial plant.
I was going to suggest that, perhaps recirculating the caustic for a set
time.
Won't hurt the stainless or ptfe, but I was worried about the fittings.
Also perhaps followed by an IPA or acetone wash.
Peter Fairbrother