Calcium on Element

[ShineonCrazyDiamond]

So, anyone ever seen this? I ran an all grain today, thought I had scorched. Took the element out to inspect and clean, turns out it wasn't sold or yeast. But it had a lot of white mineral build up, I'm assuming from the extra calcium from the oyster shells.

And yes, completely broke my solder seal top the broiler. This element was not leaving the adapter.

Home depot trip tomorrow....

[still_stirrin]

What kind of water do you use for your ferments? That does look like a calcium build up like you'd see with extremely hard water.
ss

[ShineonCrazyDiamond]

What kind of water do you use for your ferments? That does look like a calcium build up like you'd see with extremely hard water.
ss

I just use the city water. This would be the first ferment in the new house.

But I also put a cup of crushed oyster shells in the batches, to make sure it doesn't drop out of ph range. Could the shells have caused it?

[still_stirrin]

I'd don't think so.

Did you clear your wash off of the ferment trub? You didn't carry over any of the Ca2CO3 (oyster shells) to the boiler did you?

The calcium should have precipitated out of the wash (in the fermenter).
ss

[woodshed]

Have you checked out your water analysis online. You said you have moved.

[still_stirrin]

I just looked up and read this...

Calcium carbonate will react with water (or wash) that is saturated with carbon dioxide to form the soluble calcium bicarbonate.
CaCO3 + CO2 + H2O → Ca(HCO3)2
This reaction is important in the erosion of carbonate rocks, forming caverns, and leads to hard water in many regions

So, the calcium carbonate (shells) you put in could indeed result in water hardness and the buildup you saw on your heater element. It looks like that is indeed the culprit.

I learned something here too.
ss

[shadylane]

When was the last time the element was removed, how many times was it run and has the boiler been left with a charge setting in it ?

[still_stirrin]

+1 Shady & Woodshed.

Also shine on, the calcium carbonate to bicarbonate reaction requires heat. So, if there was excessive free CO2 in the wash before running...and you didn't clear the wash... it could've resulted in the bicarbonate production, which is what the deposits are on your heater element.
ss

[ShineonCrazyDiamond]

Ok, so a little info back.

I did check the CCR report, but it doesn't list calcium. Standard lead, copper, chloroform

I cleared the wash, for the most part. I siphoned the clear off last night, and squeezed the grains. I put the squeeze part, covered, outside overnight. It was in the 40s, so it cold crashed well. Then I siphoned both off again into the broiler. I don't think I got any shells into the broiler. There was no yeast burn or solid scorch to the wash, to my pleasant surprise.

I've been using this element for a year and a half now. I have run it, jeesh, like 50 plus times, considering all the stripping and spirits over that time. It has never really sat submerged in a charge, although I don't religiously rinse. Boiling alcohol and all...

It has sat for the last 6 months or more without being used.

I would think that this started with my oyster shell use, but I learned that from here. Why isn't every one having calcium build up?

It does seem like the element hasn't been as powerful lately. Wonder if it was just time?

[bearriver]

I get that white residue every time when doing a spirit run of low wines, however running any type fermented liquid cleans it up like new. Try leaving the rig hooked up full of hot backset and then inspect it in the morning.