CA1181303A - Membrane for automatic addition of corrosion inhibitor to engine coolant - Google Patents

Membrane for automatic addition of corrosion inhibitor to engine coolant

Info

Publication number
CA1181303A
CA1181303A CA000392326A CA392326A CA1181303A CA 1181303 A CA1181303 A CA 1181303A CA 000392326 A CA000392326 A CA 000392326A CA 392326 A CA392326 A CA 392326A CA 1181303 A CA1181303 A CA 1181303A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
membrane
corrosion
set forth
base metal
container
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000392326A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Robert H. Krueger
John L. Zambrow
Brian E. Cheadle
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Borg Warner Corp
Original Assignee
Borg Warner Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Borg Warner Corp filed Critical Borg Warner Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1181303A publication Critical patent/CA1181303A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28FDETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F19/00Preventing the formation of deposits or corrosion, e.g. by using filters or scrapers
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23FNON-MECHANICAL REMOVAL OF METALLIC MATERIAL FROM SURFACE; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL; MULTI-STEP PROCESSES FOR SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL INVOLVING AT LEAST ONE PROCESS PROVIDED FOR IN CLASS C23 AND AT LEAST ONE PROCESS COVERED BY SUBCLASS C21D OR C22F OR CLASS C25
    • C23F11/00Inhibiting corrosion of metallic material by applying inhibitors to the surface in danger of corrosion or adding them to the corrosive agent
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01PCOOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01P11/00Component parts, details, or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01P1/00 - F01P9/00
    • F01P11/06Cleaning; Combating corrosion
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01PCOOLING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; COOLING OF INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES
    • F01P11/00Component parts, details, or accessories not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01P1/00 - F01P9/00
    • F01P11/06Cleaning; Combating corrosion
    • F01P2011/066Combating corrosion
    • F01P2011/068Combating corrosion chemically
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10STECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S220/00Receptacles
    • Y10S220/917Corrosion resistant container
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T428/00Stock material or miscellaneous articles
    • Y10T428/12All metal or with adjacent metals
    • Y10T428/12493Composite; i.e., plural, adjacent, spatially distinct metal components [e.g., layers, joint, etc.]
    • Y10T428/12736Al-base component
    • Y10T428/12743Next to refractory [Group IVB, VB, or VIB] metal-base component

Abstract

MEMBRANE FOR AUTOMATIC ADDITION OF CORROSION
INHIBITOR TO ENGINE COOLANT

Abstract:
A membrane (22) for the end surface of a container (18) for a corrosion inhibitor (19) for engine coolant where the membrane is exposed to the coolant and corrodes when the corrosiveness of the coolant increases above a predetermined level. The membrane is formed of the same metal or alloy as the radiator and has a thin layer thereon of a second metal except for certain areas where the base metal (23) is exposed so that in a corrosive environment, a galvanic cell is set up between the two metals to enhance the rate of corrosion of the membrane.

Description

t3~
~ 1 --ME~lBRANE FOR AUTOMAI'I(:: ADDIIrION OF CO~ROSION
INE~IBITOR TO ENGINE COOLANT

Description -Engine coolants for the cooling system of an automotive vehicle generally contain ethylene glycol, alone or with a small percentage of di-ethylene glycol, and a suitable corrosion in-hibitor. These inhibitors are usually a mixture of one or more inorganic salts, such as phosphates~
10 borates, nitrates, nitrites, silicates or ar-senates, and an organic compound, such as benzo~
triazole, tolyltriazole or mercaptobenzothiazole, to prevent copper corrosion. Similar inhibitors would be utilized to prevent aluminum corrosion.
15 The solution is generally buffered to a pH of 8 to 10 to reduce iron corrosion and to neutralize any glycolic acid formed in the oxidation of ethylene glycol.

Over a period of time, the corrosion in-20 hibitor in the coolant may be lost or at least decreased in concentration due to leakage, hosQ
breakage or boil over, or the inhibitor may decrease in effectiveness due to age. If the corrosion inhibitor in the coolant decreas s, metal corros-on will increase significantly. This is especially true for hiyher temperature coolant systems or where new lightweight aluminum radiators are substituted for conventional copper brass radiators.

v~
In C~nadian Pa-tent number 1,1~7,623, issued June 7, 1~83, a container is disclosed which was suitably secured in a coolant line to the radiator with a corrodible end surface exposed to the coolan-t flowing through the line so that, if the coolant became corrosive, the end wall of the container would corrode through to release corrosion inhibi-tor in the container into the coolant stream to reduce the corrosiveness of the coolant before corrosion of the radiator became a problem. For an aluminum radiator, the end wall o~ the container was formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and the wall surface exposed to the coolant was scored or knurled to enhance localized corrosion.
However, although the end surface of the container will pit and corrode to allow liquid to enter and dissolve the corrosion inhibitor prior to serious corrosion of the radiator or other components of the cooling system~ it would be desirable to speed up the corrosion process o~ the container surface to shorten the time interval between the coolant reaching the predetermined corrosive level and the point when ~o the corrosion inhibitor is effectively released into the coolant. The present invention provides a container membrane which will act to shorten that time interval.
According to the present invention there is provided a heat exchanger in combination with a container for the automatic addition of a corrosion inhibitor into a circulating fluid system for a heat exchanger subject to corrosion. A
container is provided which houses the corrosion inhibitor with a membrane Eor one end of the container which is in contact with the circulating fluid. The container end includes a bimetallic membrane having a base metal layer which will corrode when exposed to the circulating fluid in a corrosive condition but will not corrode when the fluid contains a desired concentration of corrosion inhibitor. A thin film of a second metal comprising titanium is formed on the exterior surface of the base layer and is exposed to the fluid protecting the base metal when the corrosive condition occurs.
The present invention therefore comprehends the provision of a corrosion inhibitor container having a , - 2 -sb/ ~

membrane formin~ a wall surEace -that is suscep-tlble to corrosion due to -the corroslve level of the coolan-t contacting the membrane wherei.n, once corrosi.on oE the membrane is ini-tiated, the membrane corrodes rapidly Erom a resulting galvanic couple. Once the base material begins to corrode, the second material acts with the base material as a galvanic couple to enhance the rate of corrosion of the membrane.
~ specific embodiment of the present invention comprehends the provision of a novel membrane for a surface of a corrosion inhibitor container wherein an aluminum radiator is to be protected from corrosion. The base material of the membrane is aluminum or an aluminum alloy while the second material is a thin coating of ti-tanium. The coating may be scored or a portion of the base material is masked to prevent coating thereof. Thus, a limited are of the aluminum base mater.~al is exposed to the coolant and, once corrosion begins, the titanium-aluminum membrane results in a galvanic couple which speeds up corrosion of the membrane.
Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, efficiency~ economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and are inherently possessed thereby.

sb/ , 3~

One way of carrying out the invention i5 described in detail below with reference to drawings which illus-trate only one specific embodiment, in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective Vi2W of an auto-mobile radiator with a corrosion inhibitor con-tainer positioned thereon.

Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the corrosion inhibitor container with the novel membrane end surface.

Figure 3 is a partial cross sectional view through the membrane taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view through a multi-partitioned container having several membranes for adding inhibitor charges in sequence.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawing wherein is shown an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 discloses the radiator portion of an automotive vehicle cooling system including a radiator 10 having an inlet tank 11, an outlet tank 12 and a heat transfer core 13. A coolant inlet line 14 is connected to the tank 11, an outlet line 15 is connected to the tank 12, and a filler neck 16 communicates with tank 12 and has a pressure relief cap 17 to vent excess pressure to a suitable overflow (not shown).

- s Coolant comprising a mixture of ethylene glycol and water with a suitable corrosion in-hibitor is circulated through the vehicle engine cooling system, wherein hot coolant from the vehicle engine cooling jacket flows through the inlet line 14 into the inlet tank 11, passes down through the radiator core 13 to be cooled by air flowing transversely through the core~ and the cooled fluid exits from the outlet tank 12 through the outlet line 15 to the coolant pump (not shown) which forces the coolant back into the engine cooling jacket~

If the corrosion inhibitor concentration in the coolant should decrease below a predetermined level due to leakage or boiling over of the coolant or aging of the inhibitor, a container 18 filled with a charge of corrosion inhibitor 19 is suitably mounted in a fitting 21 on the side of the inlet tank 11. A membrane 22 seals one end of the container 18 and i5 exposed through the fitting 21 to the flowing coolant. This membrane is Eormed of a material similar to the material of the radiator 10, such that the corrosive quality of the coolant will act to corrode the membrane to allow release of the inhibitor in the container prior to any serious corrosion of the radiator. As disclosed in Canadian Patent number 1,147,623, the membrane is formed of aluminum or an alumînum alloy when the radiator 10 is Eormed of aluminum, and the membrane is scored to provide a higher stressed area of the material so that corrosion will focus on the scored area.

~ 6 --Although this scored membrane is relatively thin so that it can be pierced to release the corrosion inhibitor 19 before any perman~nt corrosion damage is caused to the susceptihle components of the coolant system, it must be strong enough to withstand the mechanical forces imposed on it by pressure and temperature changes, and by mechanical shock or fatigue. Thus, although the aluminum foil membrane is effectiv~ for the intended purpose, it is desirable to speed up corrosion of the membrane under corrosive con-ditions to more quickly release the inhibitor into the coolantO To achieve this more rapid release, the membrane is formed as a bimetal.

The bimetallic membrana 22 comprises a base metal layer 23 of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, such as 1100 aluminum or 7072 aluminum. Depleted antifreeze, tap water of water containing halide salts and heavy metal ions, as for example 300 ppm Cl as NaCl and 1 ppm Cu 2 as CuC12 will cause aluminum to corrode. The time of penetration (pitting~ decreases with increasing salt or ion concentration. In addition, the penetration is dependent on the aluminum alloy composition and thickness. Generally, the corrosion rate decreases as the purity of the aluminum increases. A thin fîlm 24 of titanium deposited on the base layer 23 will decrease the penetration time of the aluminum foil or membrane in corrosive water. To further enhance penetration of the membrane, a limited area 26 of ~he hase metal 23 is exposed through 3~

the titanium film 24. This may be accomplished in at least ,wo ways. One way is to completely deposit titanium over the entire surface of the membrane 22 and then score the titanium layer to form a sroove 25 with removal of the titanium in the groove exposing the base metal area 26. A
circular groove 25 is shown in Figure 2, but other configurations or knurling could be utilized~
Another way of providing the area 26 is to mask off a limited area during deposition of the titanium film on the base metal resulting in the groove 25.

Inhibitor release from the container 18 should be as rapid as possible in corrosive fluid so long as no corrosion occurs in the presence of the inhibited ethylene gylcol-water mixture. In addïtion, release should not be blocked by corrosive aluminum oxide formation. The sputter deposited titanium film decreases the penetration time (increased corrosion rate) of the aluminum alloy membrane in corrosive fluid, with corrosion being accelerated through the galvanic action of the titanîum-aluminum couple. Likewise, galvanic corrosion, i.e~ the increase in corrosion caused by a galvanic cell! will also occur between other noble metals, such as silver, gold or platinum, and aluminumO In fact, most metals less active than aluminum, such as lead, tin, nickel, copper and alloys of these metals, will accelerate corrosion through ~alvanic action. Also, in-hibitor release is less likely to be blocked by oxide formation when the aluminum membrane is coated with titanium.

Numerous tests have been run using titanium coated aluminum membranes or foil. These tests indicated that a titanium sputter coated aluminum membrane reduced the penetration time when exposed to corrosive water from five or more days to one day or les~. Also, all titanium sputter coated aluminum membranes had several areas of complete penetration, but penetration was slower where the titanium deposit was located on the air or in-~ibitor side of the aluminum membrane. Althoughsputter coated titanium deposits are discussed, titanium could be deposited by vapor or electro-lytic methods.

Figure 4 discloses a corrosion inhibitor con~ainer 31 having several charges 32, 33, 34, 35 of corrosion inhibitor. A titaniu~ sputter coated aluminum membrane 36 closes the end of the con-tainer 31 and similar aluminum membrane partitions 37, 38 and 39 are located in the container to separa~e the various inhibitor charges~ This structure will provide for four sequential additions of corrosion inhibitor to the coolant as the corrosive level of the coolant varies during use over a relatively long interval of time.

Claims (8)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A heat exchanger in combination with a container for the automatic addition of a corrosion inhibitor into a circulating fluid system for a heat exchanger subject to corrosion, including a container housing the corrosion inhibitor with a membrane for one end of said container which is in contact with the circulating fluid, said container end comprising a bimetallic membrane having a base metal layer which will corrode when exposed to the circulating fluid in a corrosive condition but will not corrode when the fluid contains a desired concentration of corrosion inhibitor, and a thin film of a second metal comprising titanium formed on the exterior surface of the base layer and exposed to said fluid protecting the base metal when the corrosive condition occurs.
2. A membrane as set forth in claim 1, in which said base metal is an aluminum alloy that is susceptible to corrosion when the inhibitor concentration of the circulating fluid falls below a predetermined level.
3. A membrane as set forth in claim 2, wherein said aluminum alloy base and said titanium film form a galvanic couple when the inhibitor concentration falls below a predetermined level and the aluminum alloy begins to corrode.
4. A membrane as set forth in claim 2, in which said titanium film is sputter coated onto said aluminum alloy.
5. A membrane as set forth in claim 4, in which a limited are of the base metal is masked to prevent deposition of titanium thereon.
6. A membrane as set forth in claim 2, in which said titanium film is scored to penetrate the film and expose a limited are of the base metal.
7. A membrane as set forth in claim 2, in which said titanium film and limited are of base metal is exposed to the flow of circulating fluid.
8. A membrane as set forth in claim 1, in which said thin film exposes a limited area of the base metal to the circulating fluid.
CA000392326A 1981-01-05 1981-12-15 Membrane for automatic addition of corrosion inhibitor to engine coolant Expired CA1181303A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US06/222,456 US4338997A (en) 1981-01-05 1981-01-05 Heat exchanger with bilayered metal end container for anticorrosive addition
US222,456 1988-07-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1181303A true CA1181303A (en) 1985-01-22

Family

ID=22832283

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000392326A Expired CA1181303A (en) 1981-01-05 1981-12-15 Membrane for automatic addition of corrosion inhibitor to engine coolant

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US4338997A (en)
JP (1) JPS57140514A (en)
CA (1) CA1181303A (en)
GB (1) GB2095225B (en)
IT (1) IT1140447B (en)

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4402912A (en) * 1981-12-23 1983-09-06 Borg-Warner Corporation Device to automatically add a controlled amount of corrosion inhibitor with a change in spring loading
JPS61149682A (en) * 1984-12-21 1986-07-08 住友電気工業株式会社 Composite pipe, manufacture thereof and heat pipe utilizing said manufacture
CA1335643C (en) * 1986-12-23 1995-05-23 Brian Edward Cheadle Corrosion inhibiting coolant filter
US5435346A (en) * 1994-02-14 1995-07-25 Alliedsignal Inc. Device for treating and conditioning engine coolant
US5649591A (en) * 1995-01-20 1997-07-22 Green; Michael Philip Radiator cap with sacrificial anode
JP3268386B2 (en) * 1998-06-29 2002-03-25 日本航空電子工業株式会社 Method of forming corrosion prevention film
KR100401707B1 (en) * 2000-12-04 2003-10-11 기아자동차주식회사 Apparatus for cooling an engine for a motor vehicle
US6536264B1 (en) * 2002-04-11 2003-03-25 Detroit Diesel Corporation Apparatus for detecting coolant corrosiveness
US8919388B2 (en) * 2013-01-18 2014-12-30 International Business Machines Corporation Implementing pre-treatment of water cooling hoses to increase reliability
US9332673B2 (en) 2013-10-17 2016-05-03 Globalfoundries Inc. Surface modification of hoses to reduce depletion of corrosion inhibitor

Family Cites Families (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA897615A (en) * 1972-04-11 J. Pastor Arthur Deteriorable container
BE505120A (en) * 1950-10-03
US2726436A (en) * 1950-10-31 1955-12-13 British Aluminium Co Ltd Metal-clad aluminum alloys
US2797174A (en) * 1952-05-23 1957-06-25 Lockheed Aircraft Corp Method for providing protective metal coatings on metal
US2995808A (en) * 1956-03-03 1961-08-15 Weisse Ernst Composite plated alloy material
US2993269A (en) * 1958-12-15 1961-07-25 Gen Electric Methods for producing titanium-clad metal
US3496621A (en) * 1965-10-01 1970-02-24 Olin Mathieson Integral composite article
US3359142A (en) * 1965-10-18 1967-12-19 Reynolds Metals Co Bonding aluminum to titanium and heat treating the composite
US3393446A (en) * 1966-05-23 1968-07-23 Philips Corp Method for joining aluminum to metals
US3551247A (en) * 1968-01-29 1970-12-29 Norton Research Corp Laminated vacuum coated titanium structural material
NO120955B (en) * 1968-09-27 1970-12-28 Ver Leichtmetallwerke Gmbh
US3857973A (en) * 1971-03-12 1974-12-31 Aluminum Co Of America Aluminum alloy container end and sealed container thereof
US4268586A (en) * 1975-06-26 1981-05-19 General Electric Company Corrosion resistant zirconium alloy structural components and process
US3963143A (en) * 1975-06-30 1976-06-15 Aluminum Company Of America Container including an aluminum panel having a portion removable by tearing
US4197360A (en) * 1978-05-01 1980-04-08 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Multilayer laminate of improved resistance to fatigue cracking

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS57140514A (en) 1982-08-31
US4338997A (en) 1982-07-13
GB2095225B (en) 1984-05-23
IT8125954A0 (en) 1981-12-31
GB2095225A (en) 1982-09-29
IT1140447B (en) 1986-09-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA1181303A (en) Membrane for automatic addition of corrosion inhibitor to engine coolant
US4402912A (en) Device to automatically add a controlled amount of corrosion inhibitor with a change in spring loading
CA2146464C (en) Coolant corrosiveness indicator
EP1628193A2 (en) A liquid cooling system and an electronic apparatus applying the same therein
EP0652305B1 (en) Corrosion inhibiting method for closed cooling systems
CA1181304A (en) Membrane for automatic addition of corrosion inhibitor to engine coolant
US4548258A (en) Method and means for inhibiting corrosion in a heat pipe
KR100334213B1 (en) Method of reducing galvanic corrosion
EP0036006B2 (en) Heat exchanger unit having tubes made solely from a copper-zinc alloy
EP0083571B1 (en) Method of reducing corrosion of aluminium components
NZ233492A (en) Corrosion inhibitors containing alkylbenzotriazoles
Schwartz Four types of heat exchanger failures
CA1328934C (en) Inhibiting corrosion in aqueous heat transfer apparatus
JPH06317392A (en) Heat exchanger tube for lng vaporizer
US5080863A (en) Inhibiting corrosion in aqueous heat transfer apparatus
CA2110461A1 (en) Composition and methods for inhibiting the corrosion of low carbon steel in aqueous systems
CA1147623A (en) Corrodible container for automatic addition of corrosion inhibitor to a coolant system
JP2751785B2 (en) Aluminum clad material for heat exchanger and aluminum pipe and plate using the same
CA2016147C (en) Copper and copper alloy corrosion inhibitors
JPH06147792A (en) Corrosion suppressing vessel and method of suppressing corrosion of radiator
JP2005527776A (en) Anti-corrosion device for heat exchanger
Puckorius Water corrosion mechanisms
KR100865212B1 (en) Heat transfer tube for lng vaporizer, its production method, and lng vaporizer using such heat transfer tubes
JPH0741894A (en) High corrosion resistant aluminum alloy material for heat exchanger tube
Kawase et al. Prevention of Zinc Sublimation from Alclad Vacuum Brazing Sheet by Calcium Addition to 7072 Cladding

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
MKEX Expiry