Boiler silencer additive

[ivahunch]

DAK if different makes of boiler silencer additive can be mixed in the same system?

N.B. I initially tried adding Sentinel x200 aerosol via a bleed valve but a lot of it didn't enter. So I added what was left in the can to the header tank but am not sure if that's enough.

[Slarti]

I've always just tipped a bottle of Sentinel X200 into the header tank. Didn't know that it came as an aerosol at all.

Most plumbing places sell the bottles of X200, as far as I am aware.


Slarti

[bungeejumper]

I've always just tipped a bottle of Sentinel X200 into the header tank. Didn't know that it came as an aerosol at all.

I think you can get it as a concentrate which can be squeezed into bleed valves by a special applicator. That would presumably be the favourite method with systems that don't have a header tank, but I believe you can also use it with vented systems. (Though I can't for the life of me imagine how the physics of the job would work?)

BJ

[Slarti]

but I believe you can also use it with vented systems. (Though I can't for the life of me imagine how the physics of the job would work?)

I've always just tied the float up, bailed about 1/2 a bucket of water out of the tank, poured the stuff in and then let the tank refill.

Within 24 hours the ketteling stops.


Slarti

[sg31]

I never realised the flow in and out of the header tank was so great. I imagined it jusy sat there until the water in the system dropped over time.

Presumably as the water in the system heats it expands and flows into the header tank and as it cools it draws water from it. Or is there some other reason?

You can tell plumbing isn't my strong point.

[ivahunch]

I've always just tied the float up, bailed about 1/2 a bucket of water out of the tank, poured the stuff in and then let the tank refill.

Within 24 hours the ketteling stops.

It certainly hasn't so far - so I think 24 hours is a tad optimistic and a couple of months may be more typical

[jfgw]

DAK if different makes of boiler silencer additive can be mixed in the same system?

N.B. I initially tried adding Sentinel x200 aerosol via a bleed valve but a lot of it didn't enter. So I added what was left in the can to the header tank but am not sure if that's enough.

One can or bottle of X200 should be enough for most systems up to 10 radiators. Bigger systems need more. I wouldn't mix brands, just get a bottle of the same if you need to.

!!! PEDANTRY ALERT !!!

"An aerosol is a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerosol

Hair spray, spray paint and air freshener from a spray can are aerosols. A non-pressurised perfume bottle with a puffer spray produces an aerosol. A paint gun that uses compressed air produces an aerosol. A sneeze is an aerosol.

Squirty cream, WD40 from a can with the tube attached and X200 from a pressurised can are not aerosols.

Lesson over.

Julian F. G. W.

[stewamax]

It certainly hasn't so far - so I think 24 hours is a tad optimistic and a couple of months may be more typical

My previous 30-year old boiler kettled badly.
I have an open-vent system. so I removed a litre or so of water from the F&E tank and poured in 500l of Fernox Boiler Noise Silencer F2.
It sounded like a snake-oily product, but to my surprise kettllng was markedly reduced within 48 hours - not totally but with only the occasional 'thump'

[richlist]

Surely any anti kettling additive is just a simple water softener ?

[pochisoldi]

Surely any anti kettling additive is just a simple water softener ?

Kettling needs nucleation sites in the heat exchanger - usually where scale or other contaminants have collected.
So you need to get rid of those contaminants (by getting them back into solution).
Such an additive would also handle the potential contaminants swimming around in the water (those Ca+ and Mg+ and other ions).

This is different from the (potential) function of an inhibitor, which acts to keep stuff floating around the system rather than piling up where it gets in the way, and probably acts to prevent or retard the redox reaction that turns iron and water into hydrogen and rust, and to a lesser extent the anaerobic biological activity that generates hydrogen sulphide.

PochiSoldi

PS if you want to know what an nucleation site looks like - next time you are in the pub look at the bottom of a full pint of Carling and look to see where the bubbles come from.

[staffordian]

PS if you want to know what an nucleation site looks like - next time you are in the pub look at the bottom of a full pint of Carling and look to see where the bubbles come from.

Surely the esteemed clientele of this site would be more likely to be looking at the base of a champagne flute?

[jfgw]

Surely any anti kettling additive is just a simple water softener ?

I have been told that a dash of fairy liquid does the job. I would personally use the proper stuff though.

Julian F. G. W.

[jfgw]

PS if you want to know what an nucleation site looks like - next time you are in the pub look at the bottom of a full pint of Carling and look to see where the bubbles come from.

As a staunch Real Ale drinker, if I were to enter any of my regular pubs and ask for a pint of C******, the bartender would have a heart attack!

Julian F. G. W.

[richlist]

There's nothing wrong with Carling . Are we not supposed to name it on this forum ?

[Mike4]

There's nothing wrong with Carling . Are we not supposed to name it on this forum ?

Don't be ridiculous, proper beer has acorns floating in it!

L*ger is for beer for children and should never be mentioned on here. Same as w*rk.