Technical Bulletin 18.03.

01
Stainless Steel Evaporative Coolers:
FAQ

Q: Does a Stainless Steel 316L coil have better corrosion resistance characteristics than hot
dipped Galvanized tubes?

A: YES. Stainless Steel 316L does provide increased corrosion resistance over a Zinc Coated hot
dipped Galvanized Steel coil. Stainless Steel 316L can withstand around 1.6 times the chloride level
than Galvanized tubes. However, this cannot be left unmanaged. Pitting and / or crevice corrosion
attack must be prevented.

Under deposit corrosion is one of the most severe types of corrosion, especially affecting condenser
coils. It is much more localized and aggressive, leading to deep penetration of the metal surface
with less corrosion involved in the adjacent areas. A surface deposit can concentrate the chlorides
in the water under the deposit which in turn can initiate a “pit” on the surface of the tube. When
acquiring a stainless steel condenser coil, chloride levels coupled with periodic maintenance must
be adhered to according to the manufacturers’ recommendations to realize the extended life that a
stainless steel coil offers over a hot dipped Galvanized steel coil.

Bottom line: Yes, but the manufacturers’ recommended water quality and maintenance guidelines
must be adhered to.

Q: Do you have to passivate Stainless Steel at start-up, or during routine maintenance?

A: NO. Stainless Steel alloys, by definition, are stainless when the steel contains a minimum of 11%
chromium.

Stainless steel alloys can be termed “self-passivating” due to the oxygen in the air naturally reacting
with the chromium in the stainless steel to create a recurring passive chromium oxide layer on the
tube surfaces. Within an evaporative heat exchanger the aerated water flow passing continuously
over the tubes maintains and renews (should this layer get damaged for some reason) this
protective layer of chromium oxide on the tube surfaces.

Q: Can you run higher cycles of concentration [to save water and chemicals] with 316L Stainless
Steel versus hot dipped Galvanized Steel?

A: YES. Higher cycles of concentration signify higher chloride levels. The chloride level for hot
dipped Galvanized Steel coils should be less than 250 ppm (as Cl-). The ECOSS water quality
guideline recommends a maximum chloride level of 400 ppm (as Cl-) for Stainless Steel 316L
tubes.
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TB 18.03.01 GUNTNER U.S. LLC ©

Technical Bulletin 18.03.01
Stainless Steel Evaporative Coolers:
FAQ

Q: Is there any concern of stress corrosion cracking [SCC] with 316L Stainless Steel?

A: NO; for the application, YES; it is a phenomenon. A minimum stress level must exist before
stress corrosion cracking can occur. The current application for the ECOSS product line does not
operate near or above the minimum levels required. Stainless Steel alloys, while typically more
corrosion resistant than the hot dipped Galvanized Steel, are susceptible to severe pitting in the
presence of chlorides. If a crack is formed due to the pit, coupled with the appropriate level of
stress, stress corrosion cracking may occur. In addition water pH and higher operating
temperatures can increase chloride levels. The most effective way of preventing stress corrosion
cracking, initiated by severe pitting, is maintaining chloride levels in accordance with
manufacturer’s recommendations. It should however be stated that if severe pitting occurs, the
recommended chloride levels become meaningless due to the chloride concentration within the
pits.

[Chloride levels, as Cl-, for Type 304L should be less than 250 ppm and for Type 316L less than
400 ppm]

Bottom line: A properly managed water treatment program and regular, routine maintenance will
serve to ensure the integrity of the stainless steel investment

Q: Is there any concern of corrosion [from chlorides] with 316L Stainless Steel tubes?

A: YES. Stainless Steel alloys, while more corrosion resistant than hot dipped Galvanized Steels, are
susceptible to corrosion when exposed continuously to high levels of chlorides. Coil temperature,
water pH, the presence of pits or crevices, and dirt or surface deposits within an evaporative heat
exchanger will all influence the operating chloride levels. If pits and / or crevices exist, the local
chloride level can be so concentrated that the bulk water chloride level becomes insignificant. The
operating water chemistry must be appropriately managed to realize the full benefits of a Stainless
Steel 316L condenser coil.

Q: Is your Stainless Steel 316L coil ASME certified?

A: All ECOSS heat exchanger coils are constructed in accordance with the ASME Boiler and
Pressure Vessel Code, Section VIII, Division 1. The material of construction is Stainless Steel 316L,
and conforms to ASME B31.5 Code for Refrigeration Piping and Heat Transfer Components.

When a heat exchanger coil(s) requires an ASME “U” stamp, the manufacturer will engage a third
party ASME Authorized Inspector (AI) and affix the registered “U” stamp to each coil, attesting that
it is designed, fabricated and tested according to ASME BPV Code Sect. VIII.

MAWP for Stainless steel 316L coils is 380psig. Burst pressures for Stainless Steel 316L tubes
exceeds 6 times the MAWP. All components of the coil assembly are compliant with the ASTM
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A249 (tubes) and ASTM A312 (headers) specification(s).

TB 18.03.01 GUNTNER U.S. LLC ©

Technical Bulletin 18.03.01
Stainless Steel Evaporative Coolers:
FAQ

Q: What are the advantages of using a heavier gage Stainless Steel 316L tubes in the initial pass?

A: Stainless Steel 316L contains 2.0 – 3.0% Molybdenum. Given that Stainless Steel 316L contains
Molybdenum it has considerable more resistance to chemical attack than Stainless Steel 304L,
more specifically it is considerably more resistant to higher levels of chlorides in solution and
corrosion, at higher temperatures. The first pass of tubes within the coil bundle will always be
subject to the highest temperature of the superheated vapor entering the condenser. Incorporating
heavier gage Stainless Steel 316L tubes in the first pass greatly minimizes the potential for
corrosion including chloride pitting or stress corrosion cracking.

As the composition of the chromium, nickel and molybdenum elements within the various types of
stainless steel alloys increase, so too does the corrosion resistance. The ECOSS product only uses
“L” type Stainless Steels which represents a lower carbon content that eliminates carbide
precipitation due to welding and its susceptibility to intergranular corrosion.

Bottom line: Integrating the heavy gage Stainless Steel 316L tubes in the initial pass of the coil will
elevate the corrosion resistance at this portion of the coil. When stainless steel alloys are fully
wetted, as within an evaporative heat exchanger, it is rare to see chloride stress corrosion cracking
at temperatures below 150 °F (60 °C). Typically after the initial pass in an evaporative condenser
the fluid and tube temperatures are at, or below, the design condensing temperature, thus
minimizing the possibility of stress corrosion cracking.

Q: What is best practice to ensure optimum performance and longevity with a Stainless Steel
316L coil?

A: Research has shown a direct correlation between surface roughness and the likelihood of
corrosion. Smoother surfaces typically retain less dirt and debris, and provide better corrosion
performance than rough surfaces. The smooth finish of stainless steel tubes is not comparable to
the rough surface of a hot dipped Galvanized tube. Scale (Calcium Carbonate - CaCO3)
accumulation on a hot dipped Galvanized tube is practically impossible to remove. Tests have
proven that 1/32” (0.8mm) will reduce the thermal performance of an evaporative condenser by as
much as 30%, and increase the energy consumption of the system by up to 25%. Experience has
proven that this CaCO3 accumulation can be easily removed from the smooth surface stainless steel
tubes merely by wiping away the buildup, or using a power washer to access all tubes within the
coil bundle. Maintaining these tube surfaces in a clean condition at all times will prevent the
formation of surface deposits and minimize the possibility of chloride concentration under the
deposits. A properly managed water treatment program and regular, routine maintenance will
ensure the longevity of this superior stainless steel capital investment.

This specific subject needs to be the critical consideration when deciding whether to invest in an
ECOSS evaporative heat exchanger.
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TB 18.03.01 GUNTNER U.S. LLC ©