Volume 2, Issue 2
September 2005
Key Points to Remember:
■ Continue to circulate the fluid
through the hot oil pump after
you turn off the heater.
■ Disconnect the nitrogen blanket,
if you have one on the expansion
tank prior to draining.
■ Attach the draining hose to all the
low points of the system.
■ Use a secondary pump (NOT THE
PRIMARY PUMP) to drain the fluid
from your system.
■ Drain the system as hot as you
safely can to ensure maximum
removal of sludge and particulate.
■ After draining let the system sit
for approximately 15 minutes, pump
again to remove the more viscous
fluid that has settled after the initial
system draining.
■ Remember: Conducting an Annual
Fluid Analysis on your Heat Transfer
Fluid helps you know how efficiently
your system is performing.
800-225-7440
www.multitherm.com
Draining Your
Heat Transfer System Properly
Draining The System
Draining the system of the heat transfer fluid is not very difficult but it can be
rather messy and time consuming. If you do it right, you can remove almost
all the heat transfer fluid from your system so that when you recharge your
system with new heat transfer fluid from MultiTherm, your system will
operate more efficiently. Here are the general steps to drain the fluid from
your system:
1.Shut off your heater or heat source and let your pump continue to circulate
the oil through the system. You need to remove all the residual heat from
the system as well as let the oil cool down.
2.Once the oil is at a safe temperature to drain from your system, shut off the
pump and allow fluid to stop circulating.
3.If you have a nitrogen blanket on the expansion tank, turn it off.
4.If you have high point vents, you can open them.
5.Make note of all positions of closed or partially closed valves or gates.
Once you make note of all their positions you can completely open them.
Note: Remember to open the closed leg to the expansion tank.
6.Attach your hoses to all the low point drains. In most cases, the two low
point drains will be at the pump and another at the process/user.
7.Use a secondary pump (NOT THE SYSTEM PUMP) to pull the fluid out of
the system and into either an empty drum, tote or tanker (depending on the
size of your system). Make sure that you label the containers as “used heat
transfer fluid”. You do not want to accidentally put a drum of the used fluid
back into your system.
8.When you think you have all the oil out of the system, allow the system to
sit for 10 to 15 minutes and try pumping again, sometimes it takes time
for the more viscous fluid to settle to the low points.
Now your system has been drained of the heat transfer fluid. If you drain
it as hot as you can, you will be able to remove almost all the sludge and
particulate in your system. This procedure does not remove caked on or
carbonized material. If you are looking to do that, you should consider either
a process system cleaner or flushing fluid from MultiTherm. Call for details.
 New Product Announcement
MultiTherm’s new system cleaning fluid called
MultiTherm PSC® helps improve thermal
efficiency for both large and small systems
that have gotten to the point where there is
a tremendous amount of sludge and baked
on material within the system. MultiTherm
PSC® system cleaning fluid breaks down
this type of material so that it can be drained
out of the system. Call us for more details.
New Service Announcement
MultiTherm is now offering the service to
clean out your system by either providing
you with the management of your people
during the procedure or simply coordinating
a turn-key project that would require
minimal resources on your end. Either way,
MultiTherm can help you clean out or flush
your heat transfer fluid system to get it
running back at peek performance. Contact
us for more details or a system analysis.
Coming
Soon!
MultiTherm will be offering
filtration systems for rent or lease.
Superior Communication and Service.
The Exception to The Rule!
3223 Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA 19355
Phone: 610-408-8361 • Fax: 610-408-8365
Email: techinfo@multitherm.com
www.multitherm.com
After Draining your system, what do you do
with the used heat transfer fluid?
Well, if you are running a MultiTherm heat transfer fluid, disposal is very easy
and safe. You would treat MultiTherm heat transfer fluid like used motor oil
and can dump it with your used hydraulic oils or lubricants.
If your system size is less then 1,000 gallons, you will need to drain the fluid
into empty drums or totes. If you have more then (5) 55-gallon drums of
used fluid, most waste disposal companies will pick it up for free. Less then
5 drums, it is up to the individual companies to make that call.
When your system is larger than 1,000 gallons you can contact a disposal
company to come in with a tanker to remove the fluid from your system and
pay you $.10 to $.17 per gallon. Used heat transfer fluid is burned in many
incinerators because of its high BTU value and the fact that it burns clean.
If you are running someone else's heat transfer fluid that is considered
hazardous or toxic, you will need to follow OSHA & EPA regulations for
removal and disposal. This can cost you some big bucks!
Product Highlight
MultiTherm FF-1® Flushing Fluid
MultiTherm’s specially formulated flushing fluid cleans out systems during:
■ Start-ups — to remove loose materials left in lines and equipment, along
with oil and some preservative coatings.
■ General Maintenance — for removing particulate matter and used heat transfer
fluid in your system prior to recharge or changeover to another fluid.
MultiTherm FF-1® Flushing Fluid can be used during normal operations for
up to 3 days at operating temperatures as high as 550° F to 600° F. Thus
allowing minimal downtime while cleaning out your system. Contact us
at 800-225-7440 for more information.
Do you want it Electronically?
These newsletters are also available via e-mail. If you would like to receive
them electronically, contact us at 800-225-7440 or drop us an e-mail at
TechInfo@MultiTherm.com. Please include your name, company, address,
phone numbers and e-mail address.
Thanks and we hope you find these newsletters beneficial!
The MultiTherm LLC has been a leading supplier of efficient, non-hazardous Heat Transfer
Fluids since 1977. Within a temperature range of -170°F (-112°C) to 650°F (343°C), the
company can successfully and economically accommodate a customer’s heating or
cooling requirements however exacting they may be. Further, MultiTherm provides
troubleshooting help and a fluid analysis service to determine the physical and chemical
condition of the fluid.