Boilers require a water treatment program providing protection from
all forms of corrosion, scale build-up, and metal stress and fatigue.
There are many types of programs that can be employed to provide this
needed protection. When preparing a water treatment program, Water Conditioning,
Inc. takes into consideration the design characteristics of the boiler
and its related equipment as well as the characteristics of the water
to be used and then tailors the program to best protect those systems.
Phosphate
Program
Phosphates are used to control and precipitate scale inside the boiler,
so that the impurities can be removed through normal blow down. It
is often employed due to its cost effectiveness and ease of application
and control.
Chelate
Program
Chelates are used when it is desired to dissolve scale and scale-forming
impurities and to keep them in the liquid state. This allows for ease
of removal by normal blow-down. This may be used if all conditions
are proper and if cost is not as critical. However, this program is
very effective and can be used to clean a boiler on-line.
Carbonate
Program
Carbonates programs use the normal alkalinity in the boiler water
to create the proper chemical environment to prevent scale-forming
tendencies and corrosion. These are recommended only if the make-up
water characteristics are favorable. However, this is an economical,
effective and easily controlled program.
Polymer
Program
Polymers are employed to prevent scale formation by sequestration,
which is removed once again by normal blow down. Polymers of today
are very sophisticated and require a good deal of technical expertise
to choose the right one or the combination of polymers to perform
all requirements sought for the program to achieve the desired results.
On-line
Cleaning Program
Water Conditioning, Inc. recognizes the need in some cases to clean
a boiler while that unit is still producing steam on a regular basis.
We can custom tailor the products, such as polymers and chelants that
will remove the scale, which can be blown out by normal bottom blow
down. This results in the unit operating with greater improvement
and efficiency while remaining online.
Corrosion
Control Program
Corrosion control of boiler metals and the metals of related equipment
is critical. Corrosion rates increase approximately five percent per
one degree Fahrenheit increase in temperature. As such, chemical products
such as sulfites, alkalinity builders and various amines are used
in conjunction with scale preventing programs listed above to prevent
various types of corrosion that will occur in boilers left uncontrolled.
Water Conditioning, Inc. evaluates the system, applies, and monitors
inhibitors to gain the best results in corrosion control and metal
longevity.
Pretreatment
Equipment
Equipment such as softeners, dealkalizers, deaerators, demineralizers,
etc., is considered and usually included in a water treatment program.
These are mechanical devices that aid in the water treatment program
to remove harmful impurities in the system so that the chemical program
can be more effective, less expensive and easier to control.