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102 SCXG-SVX01B-EN
Inspecting and Cleaning Coils
Coils become externally fouled as a result
of normal operation. Coil surface dirt
reduces heat transfer ability and can
cause comfort problems, increased
airflow resistance and thus increased
operating energy costs.
Inspect coils at least every six months or
more frequently as dictated by operating
experience. Cleaning frequently is
dependent upon system operating hours,
filter maintenance, efficiency, and dirt
load. Following is the suggested method
for cleaning steam and hot water coils.
Steam and Hot Water Coils
1. Disconnect all electrical power to the
unit.
2. Wear the appropriate personal
protective equipment (PPE).
3. Access both sides of the coil section.
4. Use a soft brush to remove loose
debris from both sides of the coil.
5. Use a steam cleaning machine, starting
from the top of the coil and working
downward. Clean the leaving air side of
the coil first, then the entering air side.
Use a block-off to prevent steam from
blowing through the coil and into a dry
section of the unit.
6. Repeat step 5 as necessary. Confirm
that the drain line is open following
completion of the cleaning process.
7. Allow the unit to dry thoroughly before
putting the system back into service.
8. Straighten any coil fins that may be
damaged with a fin rake.
9. Replace all panels and parts and
restore electrical power to the unit.
10. Ensure that contaminated material
does not contact other areas of the
equipment or building. Properly dispose
of all contaminated materials and
cleaning solutions.
Refrigerant Coils
1. Disconnect all electrical power to the
unit.
2. Wear the appropriate personal
protective equipment (PPE).
3. Access to the coil section of the unit
(both sides).
4. Use a soft brush to remove loose
debris from both sides of the coil.
5. Mix a high quality coil cleaning
detergent with water according to the
manufacturer’s instructions. If the
detergent is strongly alkaline after
mixing (pH 8.5 or higher), it must
contain an inhibitor. Carefully follow the
cleaning solution manufacturer’s
instructions regarding product use.
6. Place the mixed solution in a garden
pump-up sprayer or high pressure
sprayer. If using a high pressure
sprayer note the following:
• Maintain a minimum nozzle spray
angle of 15°
• Spray perpendicular to the coil face
• Protect other areas of the equipment
and internal controls from contact with
moisture or the cleaning solution
• Keep the nozzle at least six inches from
the coil
• Do
not exceed 600 psig
Draining the Waterside Economizer Coil
NOTICE
Coil Freezeup!
Properly drain and vent coils when not in
use. Trane recommends glycol protection
in all possible freezing applications. Use a
glycol approved for use with commercial
cooling and heating systems and copper
tube coils. Failure to do so may result in
equipment damage.
Drain plugs are in the piping below each
coil’s supply and return header. Use these
plugs to drain the coil and piping. When
draining the coil, open the vents at the top
of the supply and return headers. Also, a
drain plug is at the bottom of the inlet
condenser manifold and in the outlet pipe
near the unit’s left side. Remove these
plugs to drain the condensers. Be sure to
open the vent plugs at the top of the
condenser inlet and outlet manifold. See
Figure O-M-9.
When refilling the condenser/waterside
economizer coil system with water,
provide adequate water treatment to
prevent the formation of scale or corro-
sion.
Cleaning the Condenser
NOTICE
Proper Water Treatment!
The use of untreated or improperly
treated water in a CenTraVac may result
in scaling, erosion, corrosion, algae or
slime. It is recommended that the
services of a qualified water treatment
specialist be engaged to determine what
water treatment, if any, is required. Trane
assumes no responsibility for equipment
failures which result from untreated or
improperly treated water, or saline or
brackish water.
Condensing water contains minerals that
collect on the condenser tube walls.
Cooling towers also collect dust and
foreign materials that deposit in the
condenser tube. The formation of scale or
sludge in the condenser is indicated by a
decreased water flow, low temperature
difference between inlet and outlet water,
and abnormally high condensing tem-
peratures. To maintain maximum
condenser efficiency, the condenser must
remain free of built-up scale and sludge.
Clean the condenser either mechanically
or chemically.
Mechanical Cleaning of Condenser and
Economizer Coils
1. Turn off the condenser supply water.
Remove drain plugs discussed in the
“Draining the Coil” section on page 91.
2. Remove the condenser head to expose
the condenser tubes.
3. Rotate a round brush through the tubes
to loosen contaminant.
4. Flush tubes with water to push the
sludge out through the drain opening in
the bottom of the supply header and
the return pipe.
5. To clean the economizer tubes, remove
the cast iron header plates at both sides
of the coil between the inlet and outlet
headers (four-row coils only; two-row
coils do not have cover plates at right
end). Rotate round brush through tubes
from left end to loosen contaminants.
Flush tubes with water.
Maintenance
maintenance
procedures