In an industry that deals with lots of chemicals, words like biodegradable, nontoxic, and nonflammable are not all that common - especially when the product is supposed to remove oil, moisture, and acid from a system.

But the company Mainstream Engineering of Rockledge, Fla., a manufacturer of aftermarket service/maintenance products, claims it has come up with such a product with its Qwik System Flush™.

According to the company, a 2008 third-party result from the testing laboratory Applied Technical Services Inc. said Qwik-SF absorbed more oil, moisture, and acid than two other popular methods. The patent-pending product leaves no residue if a system is properly evacuated down to 25 inches of mercury, it was reported.

Originally developed for the U.S. Air Force to clean fighter jet oxygen breathing systems without using toxic chemicals harmful to the pilot or environment, it has been reformulated for the HVACR trade. According to the manufacturer, it can be used for line sets for HCFC-to-HFC conversions, for line sets after a system burnout, and for condensers and evaporators, systems suffering from excess moisture, and preventive maintenance programs in suspect systems.

Qwik-SF doesn’t evaporate prematurely or contain decafluoropentane and other solutions that contaminate the service technician and the environment, the company said. It was also said that it is not harmful to skin or if accidentally inhaled.

It is available from HVACR distributors in 2-pound (850-gram) recyclable aluminum orange canisters that contain enough flush to clean a 10-ton air conditioning or refrigeration system. Qwik-SF’s aerosolized, resealable canister requires an access valve (not included) and it fits all brands on the market. Also sold separately is a flared rubber receptacle that tightly fits any line set diameter up to 2 inches and includes a male brass fitting that receives conventional refrigeration connecting hose fittings.

For more information, call 321-631-3550 or visit www.mainstream-engr.com.

Publication date: 05/05/2008