Extreme calcium buildup in Electric HLT. We don't have hard water!

[omearabros]

We experience massive calcium buildup in our electrically heated HLT. I'm no chemist, but our water is pretty darn soft (12ppm Calcium) -- so why the extreme buildup? Second note, the buildup happens NOWHERE else but the HLT. This leads me to believe it's something to do with the electric element? Again, very little water knowledge here so help is appreciated!

p.s. Another clue for me was that in our kitchen, our electrically heated steam table also gets buildup and nothing else does! What's this process happening?

Tim

[TiminOz]

Do you have the HLT on a passivation or CIP schedule? If you don't I would start one and that should eliminate the problem.

[omearabros]

Do you have the HLT on a passivation or CIP schedule? If you don't I would start one and that should eliminate the problem.

We do indeed-- and it helps to keep the build-up down. This is more of a question of the -WHY- this is happening, considering we have pretty soft water and this happens nowhere else in the brewery.

T

[TiminOz]

As to the why!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limescale

[Starcat]

Heat

It happens in those places because of the heat, and the more heat the more it will happen.
Also, the more time the heat is applied relative to usage the greater the concentration and plating out on surfaces will be.

[omearabros]

thanks!

I thought as much, thanks all! Will continue the acid wash cycle.

Cheers,
Tim