Best Practices for Maintaining Glycol Systems in Large Commercial Facilities

Glycol systems play a vital role in the operations of most large commercial facilities. They are particularly important in close-loop water systems and are often required for cooling, heating, thermal energy storage, and other key functions. Because they keep liquid from freezing, they promote the smooth operations of many types of equipment and limit the potential for costly damage.

As with any system, glycol systems require ongoing maintenance in order to function properly. In the absence of proper care and attention, glycol can start to degrade, resulting in everything from corrosion to dangerous contamination and increased energy expenditures. Following the best practices for glycol system maintenance is thus a must to ensure reliable operations and avoid costly issues down the line.

On the lookout for glycol system maintenance tips? Take a peek at the following guidelines from our team at R2J Chemical Services.

Conduct Routine Testing of Glycol System Fluid

Frequent testing of glycol fluid is necessary for pinpointing potential problems before they grow into serious issues. To prevent the possibility of freezing and related damage, the right concentration levels need to be maintained. Furthermore, monitoring corrosion inhibitors is a must for preserving system metals. When testing is postponed or skipped altogether, the glycol fluid will degrade and start to corrode equipment.

Ensure Proper Glycol Fluid Levels

Glycol fluid levels can suffer from dilution due to leaks or inadequate refilling procedures. When water is employed to compensate for the missing glycol, the solution becomes less effective. This can in turn raise the risk of everything from freezing to material corrosion and even the growth of microbes. Maintaining accurate records is necessary to keep track of fluid changes and ensure the correct concentration of glycol on an ongoing basis.

Be Proactive About Preventing Corrosion

Corrosion is one of the biggest concerns for glycol systems, and key maintenance steps must be taken to stop degraded glycol from causing wear and tear on pipes and other system components. To avoid these issues, corrosion inhibitors should be added on a routine basis according to the results of system testing. Professional oversight is often a requirement for ensuring inhibitor effectiveness.

Partner With Local Professionals for Detailed Maintenance

While the above glycol system maintenance tips can give you a good idea of what goes into caring for a commercial glycol system, it’s important to recognize that this is a highly technical undertaking. Specialized knowledge is typically required to avoid common mistakes and ensure a smoothly functioning system without any hiccups.

At R2J Chemical Services, we’re the local go-to for commercial facilities that don’t want to take any risks on compromising system performance. Our experienced technicians conduct key maintenance tasks such as glycol fluid testing, refilling, corrosion prevention, and scheduled maintenance that will help maximize the longevity and performance of your system.

Looking for details about our glycol system maintenance solutions? Simply get in touch with R2J Chemical Services today! We’ll fill you in on the many ways in which we can keep the system at your commercial facility running smoothly.