BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES FOR CARBONATORS AND INDUSTRIAL CHILLERS

BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES FOR CARBONATORS AND INDUSTRIAL CHILLERS http: //www. jpchemtech. in/Boiler-Chemicals. php June M. Weintraub, Sc. D, REHS Environmental Health Branch May 2019

Carbonator + Copper Pipe = Health Hazard § When CO₂ is mixed with water, carbonic acid (a weak acid) is formed. CO 2 + H 2 O → H 2 CO 3 § Many water supply lines are made from copper. If CO₂ backs up into a copper water line carbonic acid will dissolve some of the copper. Cu(OH)2 + H 2 CO 3 → 2 H 2 O + Cu. CO 3 § Copper Carbonate can cause illness – vomiting, nausea, easily mistaken for food poisoning Slide 2

Industrial Chillers Usually Use Chemicals § Industrial chiller and boiler chemicals are widely used to ensure proper functioning and equipment life § Backpressure or backsiphonage conditions can occur, introducing hazardous chemicals into the potable water supply and risk of illness for those who might consume contaminated water § Plumbing Code allows a DC device if a chiller or boiler is not planning to use chemicals § This rarely happens -- even if an installation “thinks” they won’t be using chemicals in their boiler/chiller, there is always the possibility that chemicals will be used at some later point § Therefore it is good practice to protect as though all industrial chillers and boilers are planning to use chemicals and require Slide 3

Uniform Plumbing Code / CPC Requirements in Table 603. 2 Slide 4

ASSE 1022 Backflow Preventer Image credit: https: //www. andersonbrass. com/back-flow-products 5