Elevator cylinder replacement due to electrolysis – Chicago, IL

Colley Elevator has always done a significant amount of elevator cylinder replacements but over the last few years with the recent City of Chicago mandate to remove all single bottom cylinders we have been doing more than usual.

We pull a lot of cylinders out of the ground and see the metal on the cylinder degraded and go “electrolysis”.  Well…. What exactly is this electrolysis?  What does it look like?

What is Electrolysis?  Electrolysis is the electrochemical process which causes gradual degradation (corrosion) of the underground steel hydraulic cylinder. Every time your elevator goes up your cylinder can be electrically charged. Damage cannot be detected through routine preventive maintenance until the underground hydraulic cylinder has been breached.

[These two pictures are from a cylinder that was recently removed.  The elevator was running fine and was only replaced due to the City of Chicago mandate. It appears this was very close to starting to leak]

Declining fluid level in the power unit oil reservoir is, most often, the first indicator that a cylinder has been breached. Regular, visual inspection of the fluid level should occur with the elevator at the bottom floor served and at the same hour of the day. Once a breach has been detected, the elevator must be removed from service until the cylinder is repaired or replaced.

How do I know if my cylinder is exposed or maybe suspect?  You don’t, they cylinder is underground.  You complete annual CAT 1 testing on the elevator system’s integrity.   Testing may accelerate cylinder failure if it’s already in a weakened condition. Remember, the day after a test reveals no leak, a leak can develop.

Don't forget water - Electrolysis is not the only potential danger to your cylinder, water will speed up the deterioration process.  Now we put PVC down to eliminate the cylinders exposure to water and other elements underground. But...

[When we finished - right elevator]

[Less than a year later - left elevator]

The pictures above are a project we completed less than a year ago.  Side by side elevators. Please keep water out of the elevator pit.

Reference - http://www.buildings.com/article-details/articleid/1622/title/elevators-and-electrolysis

If you have any questions or would like information from Colley Elevator you can go to www.colleyelevator.com, email Craigz@colleyelevator.com or call 630-766-7230.