Updated August 15, 2023
Chemical water treatment is a very important part of operating a steam boiler. Its power usage, heat transfer ability, and lifespan are determined by its maintenance. Chemical water treatment is a major part of this. This piece will go over the benefits of water treatment, the chemicals used, and how to create an effective water treatment plan for steam boilers.
Steam Boiler Chemical Water Treatment Plan
Conduct Water Analysis
You will need to test the boiler’s water for various contaminants and its current attributes. These tests will establish a base of the types of problems in your system. Then, you can go from there with the proper solutions and maintenance required. The levels of alkalinity/pH, conductivity, pressure, hardness, corrosion, microorganisms, and oxygen should all be tested.
Set Desired Results
After assessing your situation, you should make an effort to set goals for what changes you would like to see in your system. These changes may include resolving existing issues like corrosion, scale, or fouling. They could include improving your steam boiler’s efficiency by reducing energy usage with chemical water treatment. It may also include extending the lifetime of your equipment well beyond your warranty’s expiration.
Schedule Regular Inspections
Boiler inspections must take place regularly. You should have remote monitoring set up on your steam boiler. This will help you see the important levels and view energy and chemical usage. You will want to combine this with regular testing to ensure your system is properly maintained. Additionally, checks on the boiler’s structure and safety fail-safes should be conducted frequently to keep it safe and in operation.
Make Needed Improvements
Your boiler’s control panel may not be on the right settings, you may be using too much or too little chemical, or there may be more efficient parts available. Steam boilers require a lot of upkeep and energy costs, so you may as well be on top of improvements. Taking an active approach, whether outsourced or in-house to your boiler’s risks and energy/water usage will pay off. Remote monitoring your levels every time you make a change will help you incrementally boost the performance of your steam boiler system.
Chemical water treatment is an essential part of operating a steam boiler system. Various efficiency benefits reduce energy and water usage. You can produce more heat from the resources you are putting in. Chemicals such as anti-foaming agents, alkalinity builders, scale inhibitors, and oxygen scavengers are essential for the treatment of your system. Producing a chemical water treatment plan ensures it is done properly and sets a clear path for better results.
Plan Consistent Treatment
Your steam boiler needs regular chemical water treatment as part of its ongoing maintenance. Your water analysis test will determine the amount and types of chemicals used in your system. Without chemical water treatment, your boiler will develop several problems that reduce efficiency and the lifespan of your equipment.
Schedule Service or a Free Water Quality Consultation
To have an expert chemical water treatment company do this properly for you, contact Chardon Laboratories by calling (380) 224-7395 or emailing sales@chardonlabs.com. We have over 55 years of research and service for chemical water treatment. Schedule a free water quality consultation today to maximize water cycles and help prevent/treat problems.
Necessary Steam Boiler Chemicals
Antifoaming Agents
Boiler water carry-over occurs when foam/water leaves the boiler. This is not the usual clean steam and is contaminated water/foam. Steam boiler anti-foaming agents reduce the surface tension of boiler water. This makes it so foam or bubbles can not form. Polyalkylene glycol is a common antifoaming agent, along with several silicone/non-silicone-based defoamers.
Oxygen Scavengers
These are used to help prevent corrosion and rust in your boiler. Dissolved oxygen that is present in your boiler’s water is naturally corrosive when exposed to high pressures/temperatures. Catalyzed and non-catalyzed sulfite, DEHA, carbohydrazide, and erythorbic acid are examples of oxygen scavengers. This chemical removes this corrosive, dissolved oxygen.
Scale Inhibitors
Scale inhibitors prevent the growth of scaling by controlling the crystallization of scale deposits. This type of chemical is also referred to as a limescale reducer. Polymers and Phosphates are common chemicals used as scale inhibitors.
Alkalinity Builders
pH levels are an important factor to regulate in your steam boiler. Alkalinity builders help regulate your boiler water’s pH levels. Alkalinity builders are often called pH control agents. Potassium hydroxide, calcium oxide, and magnesium hydroxide are all examples of common alkalinity builder chemicals.
Problem Prevention with Chemical Water Treatment for Steam Boilers
Steam boilers can be used for heating public spaces, generating power for manufacturing, and other commercial purposes. Boilers are utilized across various industries such as breweries, hospitals, schools and universities, and manufacturing. Below are some of the problems that chemical water treatment can help prevent:
Corrosion and Rust Prevention
Steam boiler corrosion such as rust pitting can damage the metal surfaces of your steam boiler. The larger the damage, the greater the chance of system leaks, structural failure, and impeded heat transfer.
Scale Prevention
Scaling surfaces have a chalky layer that comes between the water and the heat transfer surface. Over time, the scale will become thicker and cause worse performance. Scale is primarily calcium carbonate/sulfate or magnesium hydroxide.
Limiting Microorganism Growth
Fouling occurs when microorganisms grow in large numbers and begin to deposit organic material along the boiler surfaces. This may look similar to slagging.
Avoiding Inefficiently and Low Performance
Various minerals and debris are found in untreated steam boiler water. The heat transfer surface will not work as efficiently with these contaminants. Energy usage goes up as heat transfer performance diminishes. Fouling, scaling, and rust may develop due to contaminants and the properties of untreated water.
Contact the Experts at Chardon Laboratories
If you need help with your steam boiler water treatment program contact Chardon Laboratories via this contact form or by calling (380) 224-7395. We have several trained service technicians ready to deal with anything water treatment-related.
Matt Welsh
Matt Welsh is the Vice President and Water Consultant at Chardon Labs. He helps consult a wide range of customers utilizing various methods of water treatment, from chemical to chemical-free approaches, large and small applications, and across a wide range of geographical influences. With 20 years of water treatment experience, including a wide range of troubleshooting and service in potable water and non-potable HVAC and industrial applications, he is an expert in water treatment chemistry for cooling towers, boilers, and closed-loop systems.