What is the Best Way to Clean a Coolant System?
I usually answer this question by asking, “How much time do you have?” Production downtime costs money and unless you’re not using the machine, time is always an important part of the equation. Here is our:
Clean-Out Procedure for Individual Coolant Sumps with Central Systems
1. Remove all old coolant from the sump.
2. Remove metal fines and sludge.
3. Fill sump with enough water to circulate through pump.
4. Add 1.0 percent to 1.5 percent machine cleaner to the water in the sump.
5. If possible, add one-quart biocide for each 100 gallons of water. (DO NOT USE BLEACH)
6. Circulate for 2-4 hours through all coolant lines and nozzles.
7. Rinse off machine surfaces and thoroughly clean.
8. Pump out cleaner/biocide mixture and dispose of properly.
9. Remove any residual dirt, oil, etc.
10. Add water to the sump until it is about half full.
11. Add water and coolant together until the sump is completely full.
12. Check coolant concentration with a refractometer and adjust if necessary.
You might find that this procedure will take more time than you have. A shorter, albeit less thorough, approach is possible. Consider these steps:
Clean-Out Procedure for Individual Coolant Sumps & Central Systems (in a Hurry)
Add 1.0 percent to 2.0 percent of a mild machine cleaner to the existing dirty coolant. A mild biocide at one-quart per 100 gallons is also a good idea at this point. Circulate through hoses and pumps for several hours if possible. This will loosen some of the more difficult deposits of metal fines and dirt. Remove the old coolant and rinse down the system. Remove that small portion of water used for rinsing. Follow steps 10, 11, and 12 from the previous listing. Your system will not be as clean, but the time you save will get you back in production sooner.
