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Unclogging corroded laser coolant lines

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Michael Giacomelli

Unclogging corroded laser coolant lines

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I recently discovered an old laser in storage. Unfortunately the
previous users had not drained the coolant lines, resulting in several
years corrosion blocking the lines. I flushed them out as best I
could and found a grey metal slurry that was fairly thick in place of
what was once the coolant. Unfortunately, even with flushing I can't
flow anything through the system using a normal thermotek chiller.

Are there any options in this situation to unclog a laser? Looking at
the material in the line, its fairly diffuse and does not appear all
that solid. Is it possible to use something like a weak acid to
dissolve any solid material blocking the line? Or some other
solvent/cleaner?

Mike

Craig Brideau

Re: Unclogging corroded laser coolant lines

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
*****

I've used household vinegar for this, or you can make up 5% acetic acid
from lab stock. If you can get any flow at all, just keep running solution
through it. If you're lucky, the vinegar will dissolve out any mineral
deposits and also help loosen up any biological gunk. Once you have things
flowing well, flush with regular water. Finally, put Optishield or similar
into your final coolant water to help keep this from happening in the
future. I'm sure others will chime in with their own magic recipes for
loosening up stuff like this, so give it all a try and you should hit on
something that works.

Best of luck!

Craig Brideau

On Mon, Nov 23, 2015 at 2:46 PM, Michael Giacomelli <[hidden email]> wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> I recently discovered an old laser in storage. Unfortunately the
> previous users had not drained the coolant lines, resulting in several
> years corrosion blocking the lines. I flushed them out as best I
> could and found a grey metal slurry that was fairly thick in place of
> what was once the coolant. Unfortunately, even with flushing I can't
> flow anything through the system using a normal thermotek chiller.
>
> Are there any options in this situation to unclog a laser? Looking at
> the material in the line, its fairly diffuse and does not appear all
> that solid. Is it possible to use something like a weak acid to
> dissolve any solid material blocking the line? Or some other
> solvent/cleaner?
>
> Mike
>

Oshel, Philip Eugene

Re: Unclogging corroded laser coolant lines

In reply to this post by Michael Giacomelli

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
*****

Mike,

I've used both hydrogen peroxide and CLR (brand name lime & rust
remover). For a TEM-sized chiller, this took one bottle of CLR or 1
Liter of 3% H2O2 (or 100 mL 30% H2O2). Circulate this for one to six
hours, or even overnight if needed (sounds like that will be needed in
your case), followed by flushing with 4-5 volumes of tap water.
This works well, and causes no damage to instrument chilling lines.
When I had a biofilm-sludge clogging problem, the vinegar trick worked.
I used about 1 Liter of vinegar for this, followed by tap water.

Phil

On 11/23/2015 16:46 , Michael Giacomelli wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> I recently discovered an old laser in storage. Unfortunately the
> previous users had not drained the coolant lines, resulting in several
> years corrosion blocking the lines. I flushed them out as best I
> could and found a grey metal slurry that was fairly thick in place of
> what was once the coolant. Unfortunately, even with flushing I can't
> flow anything through the system using a normal thermotek chiller.
>
> Are there any options in this situation to unclog a laser? Looking at
> the material in the line, its fairly diffuse and does not appear all
> that solid. Is it possible to use something like a weak acid to
> dissolve any solid material blocking the line? Or some other
> solvent/cleaner?
>
> Mike
>

--
Philip Oshel
Microscopy Facility Supervisor
Biology Department
024C Brooks Hall
Central Michigan University
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859
(989) 774-3576

Mark Cannell-2

Re: Unclogging corroded laser coolant lines

In reply to this post by Craig Brideau

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
*****

I wonder if 2 part automotive radiator flush would be the best option?

HTH

Mark

On 23/11/2015, at 10:23 pm, Craig Brideau <[hidden email]> wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> I've used household vinegar for this, or you can make up 5% acetic acid
> from lab stock. If you can get any flow at all, just keep running solution
> through it. If you're lucky, the vinegar will dissolve out any mineral
> deposits and also help loosen up any biological gunk. Once you have things
> flowing well, flush with regular water. Finally, put Optishield or similar
> into your final coolant water to help keep this from happening in the
> future. I'm sure others will chime in with their own magic recipes for
> loosening up stuff like this, so give it all a try and you should hit on
> something that works.
>
> Best of luck!
>
> Craig Brideau
>
> On Mon, Nov 23, 2015 at 2:46 PM, Michael Giacomelli <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> *****
>> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
>> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
>> *****
>>
>> I recently discovered an old laser in storage. Unfortunately the
>> previous users had not drained the coolant lines, resulting in several
>> years corrosion blocking the lines. I flushed them out as best I
>> could and found a grey metal slurry that was fairly thick in place of
>> what was once the coolant. Unfortunately, even with flushing I can't
>> flow anything through the system using a normal thermotek chiller.
>>
>> Are there any options in this situation to unclog a laser? Looking at
>> the material in the line, its fairly diffuse and does not appear all
>> that solid. Is it possible to use something like a weak acid to
>> dissolve any solid material blocking the line? Or some other
>> solvent/cleaner?
>>
>> Mike
>>

Mark B. Cannell Ph.D. FRSNZ
Professor of Cardiac Cell Biology
School of Physiology & Pharmacology
Faculty of Biomedical Sciences
University of Bristol
Bristol
BS8 1TD UK

[hidden email]

Craig Brideau

Re: Unclogging corroded laser coolant lines

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
*****

I'm not sure I would trust radiator flush. The metals and plastics used in
the laser might be more delicate than those used in a car radiator. I would
only resort to something like that if nothing else worked.

Craig Brideau

On Wed, Nov 25, 2015 at 5:46 PM, Mark Cannell <[hidden email]>
wrote:

Mark Cannell-2

Re: Unclogging corroded laser coolant lines

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
*****

Hi Craig

Not sure about that, Al and Cu and plastics in engine too….

Cheers

On 26/11/2015, at 1:09 am, Craig Brideau <[hidden email]> wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> I'm not sure I would trust radiator flush. The metals and plastics used in
> the laser might be more delicate than those used in a car radiator. I would
> only resort to something like that if nothing else worked.
>
> Craig Brideau
>
> On Wed, Nov 25, 2015 at 5:46 PM, Mark Cannell <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
>> *****
>> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
>> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
>> *****
>>
>> I wonder if 2 part automotive radiator flush would be the best option?
>>
>> HTH
>>
>> Mark
>>
>>
>> On 23/11/2015, at 10:23 pm, Craig Brideau <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>>> *****
>>> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>>> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
>>> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
>> posting.
>>> *****
>>>
>>> I've used household vinegar for this, or you can make up 5% acetic acid
>>> from lab stock. If you can get any flow at all, just keep running
>> solution
>>> through it. If you're lucky, the vinegar will dissolve out any mineral
>>> deposits and also help loosen up any biological gunk. Once you have
>> things
>>> flowing well, flush with regular water. Finally, put Optishield or
>> similar
>>> into your final coolant water to help keep this from happening in the
>>> future. I'm sure others will chime in with their own magic recipes for
>>> loosening up stuff like this, so give it all a try and you should hit on
>>> something that works.
>>>
>>> Best of luck!
>>>
>>> Craig Brideau
>>>
>>> On Mon, Nov 23, 2015 at 2:46 PM, Michael Giacomelli <[hidden email]>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> *****
>>>> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>>>> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
>>>> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
>> posting.
>>>> *****
>>>>
>>>> I recently discovered an old laser in storage. Unfortunately the
>>>> previous users had not drained the coolant lines, resulting in several
>>>> years corrosion blocking the lines. I flushed them out as best I
>>>> could and found a grey metal slurry that was fairly thick in place of
>>>> what was once the coolant. Unfortunately, even with flushing I can't
>>>> flow anything through the system using a normal thermotek chiller.
>>>>
>>>> Are there any options in this situation to unclog a laser? Looking at
>>>> the material in the line, its fairly diffuse and does not appear all
>>>> that solid. Is it possible to use something like a weak acid to
>>>> dissolve any solid material blocking the line? Or some other
>>>> solvent/cleaner?
>>>>
>>>> Mike
>>>>
>>
>> Mark B. Cannell Ph.D. FRSNZ
>> Professor of Cardiac Cell Biology
>> School of Physiology & Pharmacology
>> Faculty of Biomedical Sciences
>> University of Bristol
>> Bristol
>> BS8 1TD UK
>>
>> [hidden email]
>>

Mark B. Cannell Ph.D. FRSNZ
Professor of Cardiac Cell Biology
School of Physiology & Pharmacology
Faculty of Biomedical Sciences
University of Bristol
Bristol
BS8 1TD UK

[hidden email]

Craig Brideau

Re: Unclogging corroded laser coolant lines

*****
To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
*****

On a related note, I heard from my friendly neighbourhood technicians that
Coherent is switching over to this stuff called CoolFlow IGE for the liquid
cooling systems. It claims to have good corrosion resistance, although I
haven't yet used it myself. I might give it a try during my next line flush
and cleanout though.

Craig

On Thu, Nov 26, 2015 at 1:48 AM, Mark Cannell <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Hi Craig
>
> Not sure about that, Al and Cu and plastics in engine too….
>
> Cheers
>
> On 26/11/2015, at 1:09 am, Craig Brideau <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> > *****
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> > http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> > Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> posting.
> > *****
> >
> > I'm not sure I would trust radiator flush. The metals and plastics used
> in
> > the laser might be more delicate than those used in a car radiator. I
> would
> > only resort to something like that if nothing else worked.
> >
> > Craig Brideau
> >
> > On Wed, Nov 25, 2015 at 5:46 PM, Mark Cannell <
> [hidden email]>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> *****
> >> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> >> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> >> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> posting.
> >> *****
> >>
> >> I wonder if 2 part automotive radiator flush would be the best option?
> >>
> >> HTH
> >>
> >> Mark
> >>
> >>
> >> On 23/11/2015, at 10:23 pm, Craig Brideau <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
> >>
> >>> *****
> >>> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> >>> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> >>> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> >> posting.
> >>> *****
> >>>
> >>> I've used household vinegar for this, or you can make up 5% acetic acid
> >>> from lab stock. If you can get any flow at all, just keep running
> >> solution
> >>> through it. If you're lucky, the vinegar will dissolve out any mineral
> >>> deposits and also help loosen up any biological gunk. Once you have
> >> things
> >>> flowing well, flush with regular water. Finally, put Optishield or
> >> similar
> >>> into your final coolant water to help keep this from happening in the
> >>> future. I'm sure others will chime in with their own magic recipes for
> >>> loosening up stuff like this, so give it all a try and you should hit
> on
> >>> something that works.
> >>>
> >>> Best of luck!
> >>>
> >>> Craig Brideau
> >>>
> >>> On Mon, Nov 23, 2015 at 2:46 PM, Michael Giacomelli <[hidden email]>
> >> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> *****
> >>>> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> >>>> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> >>>> Post images on http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> >> posting.
> >>>> *****
> >>>>
> >>>> I recently discovered an old laser in storage. Unfortunately the
> >>>> previous users had not drained the coolant lines, resulting in several
> >>>> years corrosion blocking the lines. I flushed them out as best I
> >>>> could and found a grey metal slurry that was fairly thick in place of
> >>>> what was once the coolant. Unfortunately, even with flushing I can't
> >>>> flow anything through the system using a normal thermotek chiller.
> >>>>
> >>>> Are there any options in this situation to unclog a laser? Looking at
> >>>> the material in the line, its fairly diffuse and does not appear all
> >>>> that solid. Is it possible to use something like a weak acid to
> >>>> dissolve any solid material blocking the line? Or some other
> >>>> solvent/cleaner?
> >>>>
> >>>> Mike
> >>>>
> >>
> >> Mark B. Cannell Ph.D. FRSNZ
> >> Professor of Cardiac Cell Biology
> >> School of Physiology & Pharmacology
> >> Faculty of Biomedical Sciences
> >> University of Bristol
> >> Bristol
> >> BS8 1TD UK
> >>
> >> [hidden email]
> >>
>
> Mark B. Cannell Ph.D. FRSNZ
> Professor of Cardiac Cell Biology
> School of Physiology & Pharmacology
> Faculty of Biomedical Sciences
> University of Bristol
> Bristol
> BS8 1TD UK
>
> [hidden email]
>

TSwayne

Re: Unclogging corroded laser coolant lines

Coolflow IGE has been good for us — we’ve been using it in our Chameleon for about a year and a half, and it has reduced our clogging issues a lot.

To switch from Optishield, you need to completely flush, rinse, and empty the lines, and install an inline mesh filter (which is the biggest up-front cost at $150; a big jug of the premixed solution is $54, over a year’s supply). Coherent sent us a step-by-step guide.

Theresa

On Dec 2, 2015, at 2:14 PM, Craig Brideau <[hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:

*****

On a related note, I heard from my friendly neighbourhood technicians that
Coherent is switching over to this stuff called CoolFlow IGE for the liquid
cooling systems. It claims to have good corrosion resistance, although I
haven't yet used it myself. I might give it a try during my next line flush
and cleanout though.

Craig

------------------------------------
Theresa Swayne, Ph.D.
Manager
Confocal and Specialized Microscopy Shared Resource<http://hiccc.columbia.edu/research/sharedresources/confocal>

Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
Columbia University Medical Center
1130 St. Nicholas Ave., Room 222A
New York, NY 10032
Phone: 212-851-4613
[hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>

Armstrong, Brian

Re: Unclogging corroded laser coolant lines

Hello, I used to have clogging problems and tried a few techniques: 1/3 white vinegar 2/3 distilled H2O (not MilliQ). I was told by my LASER Pro not to blow with too much force (he used oral pressure [blew with his mouth]). I got dizzy using this method so I used room air at light flow. I have special hoses that I cut/shortened that have the proper connector ends (male & female) for attachment to the LASER. I also used to change the distilled water on the first day of every month. This really helped.

However, once I switched to the CoolFlow and stopped using distilled water with Optishield I never had another problem with flow, temperature or clogging. I highly recommend switching. It costs a little but saves a lot of time and aggravation.

Cheers,

Brian D Armstrong PhD
Associate Research Professor
Director, Light Microscopy Core
Beckman Research Institute
City of Hope
1450 E Duarte Rd
Duarte, CA 91010
626-256-4673 x62872

-----Original Message-----
From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Swayne, Theresa C.
Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 2015 11:56 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: Unclogging corroded laser coolant lines

Coolflow IGE has been good for us — we’ve been using it in our Chameleon for about a year and a half, and it has reduced our clogging issues a lot.

To switch from Optishield, you need to completely flush, rinse, and empty the lines, and install an inline mesh filter (which is the biggest up-front cost at $150; a big jug of the premixed solution is $54, over a year’s supply). Coherent sent us a step-by-step guide.

Theresa

On Dec 2, 2015, at 2:14 PM, Craig Brideau <[hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>> wrote:

*****

On a related note, I heard from my friendly neighbourhood technicians that
Coherent is switching over to this stuff called CoolFlow IGE for the liquid
cooling systems. It claims to have good corrosion resistance, although I
haven't yet used it myself. I might give it a try during my next line flush
and cleanout though.

Craig

------------------------------------
Theresa Swayne, Ph.D.
Manager
Confocal and Specialized Microscopy Shared Resource<http://hiccc.columbia.edu/research/sharedresources/confocal>

Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center
Columbia University Medical Center
1130 St. Nicholas Ave., Room 222A
New York, NY 10032
Phone: 212-851-4613
[hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>

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