Sludge in oil lines

[Dannypipe]

Hi all.

I've taken on a contract to look after a local college and they have a number of oil fired appliances, boilers and Andrews water heaters.

We've had issues on one of the dorms. First the boiler pump and motor seized up. We replaced them and serviced the appliance - new nozzle, electrodes, etc, and it's working.

The run from the tank is a 15mm feed, which splits to two 10mm feeds, fire valves, two tiger loops and then into boiler room. Which has boiler and Andrews which is about 120KW for Andrews and about 70KW for the boiler.

Anyway, shortly after we fixed the boiler, the Andrews packed up. Again pump knackered. So we repaired, serviced that too and fitted a filter - the isn't one on the line.

I then checked the filter in the boiler pump and found the photos I will post below this.

So we have a really bad sludge problem. So bad - that the feed to the room isn't working. I think it may be the gate valve on the 15mm feed is blocked but I didn't have the time to break it apart to check it.

Sorry to rant on, but any comments on the sludge issues would be useful.

The tank is 18,000 litre. I've asked if they ran in dry. My guess is most likely. I guess there is no easy solution to this, other than renew filters, and fit new ones where they don't have them. Then to blow out all lines, and check them with a vac' gauge.

Thanks

 

[Dannypipe]

 

[Best]

Assume you fitted a paper element filter at oil tank? They really do stop the crud getting through but will block quick. Would have to be a big one though & I have no idea what size.
All I would suggest is you do blow out & flush all the oil lines & also fit other paper element filters at each appliance. Going to need lots of maintainence & replacement filters later.
I would suggest the oil tank needs cleaned out also.

 

[lame plumber]

suck the gunk out of the lowest part of the tank first, flush and filters. Not sure but could that also be the old bio sludge that means you need to treat the tank contents to stop it growing more.

 

[Dotty]

I'd suggest a strainer at the tank and paper filters at the appliances.

Get the tank desludged and, while it's empty, fit a duplex strainer.

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