can you identify this stuff???

This stuff was found in 4 rooftop heat exchangers, Carriers 14 years old, with a history of sooting up. These are converted to LP units. No exhaust nearby that we know of save maybe a small farm. all 4 within 50 to 80 feet of each other....Ill post pics[ATTACH=CONFIG]75164 OEM says its not part of the unit. its very hard, almost metalic. This is an elementary school.

 

It looks like an abandoned wasp or hornet's nest.

 

That would burn up during the first start up I would think..

 

https://media.mnn.com/assets/images/...crop-smart.jpg

It looks the same to me.

 

I can't really argue that, that is about what it mostly resembles in shape. What threw me off on that was its metallic and sharp feel.

 

Looks and sounds to me more like a piece of coral. Something that would be left behind in a wet environment. Was it found under water or in the upper part of the unit? Are the units located in an area where the water or air would carry some small sea creature?

 

But the wasps and insects are much better craftsman than that. Notice in the nest picture how perfectly regular in shape each compartment is. No self-respecting wasps would do that sloppy work depicted in post #1.

I have no expertise at all on this subject but I found this link which at least says that there is such a thing as Crystalline Deposits in Heat Exchangers. That’s what it looks like to me anyway, some kind of crystal formation.

https://sundoc.bibliothek.uni-halle..../04H181/t4.pdf

just saw 2john's post

 

LOL @ self respecting wasps & sloppy work! I wonder if OSHA laws apply.

 

LOL - Yea - you wonder. OSHA probably has a thousand pages on it, LOL.

 

Have you tried dissolving some of it in vinegar or hot water? If it dissolves or fizzes in vinegar, chances are it's calcium based.

What are the BTU & efficiency ratings on the units?

 

Spoke with the mechanic last night that found the stuff and he insists it's not a bees nest but rather some kid of carbonized crystaled form from unburned fuel. It was in all 4 rooftops and up deep inside ( not what bees do). Bees, for the most part, tend to like the hottest piece of sheet metal on the unit, usually the disconnect. Why, That I couldn't tell you, but they nest in lower roofs more than taller roofs. The mechanic also said it wasn't that strong, and fell apart quite easily, and that I have selective recall....(. Part of getting older). In the mean time, next time I go there, if for the same thing, I'll check with the maintenance guy, he kept a chunk, Thanks for the help!

 

I value the mechanics opinion. However, why don't you show it to a bee keeper or someone who knows about bees & wasps?

 

Reminds me of the metallic sponge inside a Catalytic Converter; but I suspect this is intended to condense moisture and capture it to be funneled away BEFORE it becomes ice and does more damage up on the roof.