From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
The causes of car radiator blockage due to oxidation and sediment formation.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27a\3\ Scan076 | |
| Date | 2nd November 1929 | |
| X4516. Laboratory. ag. c to R.{Sir Henry Royce} c to Wer. c to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} H11/E.W./2.11.29. RE. BLOCKING OF CAR RADIATORS. (Further to my note: H11/E.W./26.10.29.) The bulk of the sediment which collects in the water system is due to oxidation by the air which enters the radiator every time it cools owing to water contraction. Oxygen from this air is largely dissolved by the cooling water on circulation, and causes a certain amount of corrosion. This occurs each time the engine is warmed up after standing. The amount of oxygen involved during a year's running is considerable, i.e. from five to ten cubic feet, which is capable of producing well over a pound of sludge if calculated from the analysis given in the previous report. In the absence of the oxygen the corrosion of the cast iron is practically negligible, especially if the iron has been given the oxidation treatment. This continuous contamination by oxygen could be largely eliminated by a suitably formed water seal at the filler end of the water system or the introduction of some other automatic device to take up the water expansion and contraction without involving the repeated introduction of fresh air. Other methods of eliminating or reducing the harmful effect of dissolved oxygen would necessitate the use of a special solution or a fluid such as ethylene glycol, the object being to use a liquid in which oxygen is practically insoluble, or the equivalent. Hl. HE | ||