http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/Unclogging-corroded-laser-coolant-lines-tp7584479p7584483.html
> *****
> 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