Rink

This outlet connection should be protected with suitable screen to prevent solids being drawn into the system. Another line or hose is taken from the brine charging valve adjacent to the outlet of the chiller and is led into the top of the mixing tank. To add new brine, the tank should be filled with fresh water and flaked calcium chloride added. The tank should then be stirred until it is all dissolved and a reading of at least 1.2 specific gravity is read on the hydrometer. The brine pump should then be started, and the stop valve at the inlet of the pump should be partially closed to create a slight vacuum. Then open the charging valve on the pump suction side. This will allow the brine to be drawn into the system. When the contents of the mixing tank are drawn in, the charging valve is closed and the main line valve is opened so as to allow adequate mixing of the new brine with the old. Should the brine require strengthening or treatment to be added, don't fill the mixing tank with fresh water. Instead open the brine charging valve on the pump discharge with the pump operating, allowing the tank to fill up with weak brine. More calcium or treatment is added, then it is drawn back into the system as for new brine. CAUTION: Do not close the valve too much as the pump will cavitate (it becomes noisy and physical damage is likely to occur). 32 R INK MAGAZ INE MAy/June 2007 B R I N E M A I N T E N A N C E B R I N E M A I N T E N A N C E A brine leak in a valve. Brine will quickly corode metal when exposed to air. RINK PHOTO

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