What is a deaerator?
A deaerator is mechanical way of removing dissolved oxygen from the water. There are different types of deaerators and multiple manufactures. Remember you still need to feed an oxygen scavenger to remove the dissolved oxygen that the deaerator does not remove.

What boiler tests should I perform?
If you do not have man power or time to perform a bunch of tests. We recommend testing at minimum the boiler water sulfite residual, boiler water conductivity, and feedwater/softener hardness. Also, we recommend monitoring your chemical inventory daily as a double check to ensure sufficient chemical is being added to the chemical.

What is an boiler amine?
There are two main categories of boiler amines, neutralizing amines and filming amines. Neutralizing amines are the most common. Amines are designed to increase the condensate pH to minimize condensate corrosion.  Make sure to check how your steam is being used. In some applications, there may be restrictions on using amines.

What items are common boiler failures?
1) Oxygen Pitting
2) Short-Term Overheating
3) Long-Term Overheating
4) Caustic Gouging
5) Corrosion

What is the boiling temperature of water?
The boiling point of water depends on pressure. At atmospheric pressure, water boils at 100C. As pressure increases, the boiling point increases. At 22,000 kPa, where water is converted to steam, the boiler point is lowered.

What is boiler feedwater?
Boiler feedwater is referred to as the water entering the boiler. It is a combination of the return condensate and fresh make-up water.

Why do I have to return my condensate?
Condensate is hotter then make-up water and it contains valuable BTUs. The warmer the feedwater in the tank, the less energy you need to heat the water to make steam. So it is important to return as much condensate as possible.

What is boiler make-up water?
Make-up water is referred to as the fresh water that is added to the feedwater tank.

What is cycles of concentration?
Cycles of Concentration is refers to how many times you reuse your water. The purpose of a boiler is to reuse water. To calculate your cycles of concentration divide your boiler water silica residual by your feedwater silica.

How do I remove boiler scale?
One solution is to hire an outside company that specializes in acid cleaning. If scale is light, do not remove the scale, just make sure your softeners are functioning properly and use a polymer designed for gradual scale remove.

How do I prevent boiler scale?
1) Have a good operating softener
2) Make sure the brine tank is filled at the recommended depth with salt at all times.
3) Perform softener hardness and feedwater checks daily.
4) If using a phosphate chemical program blowdown the boiler two times a day.

Where do I feed my boiler chemicals?
Boiler chemical injection points are important. Here are the basics:

• Sulfite and alkalinity to the feedwater tank or drop leg of a Deaerator
• Phosphate / Polymer to the feedwater line or drop leg of a Deaerator
• Amine preferred to the steam header, but you can feed it to the feedwater line or drop leg of a Deaerator.
• One drum program or day tank to the feedwater line or drop leg of a Deaerator.
  

How do I feed my boiler chemicals?
Preferably neat (straight from the drum) or you can mix it in day boiler mixing tanks. It provides a more consistent chemical dilution.

How do I wet lay up a boiler?
If you plan on keeping your boiler idle for more than a month, dry lay-up is the preferred method. If the boiler needs to be readily available to service. Add additional sulfite and alkalinity (if you are using an acidic sulfite) to the boiler. Maintain at least 100ppm of sulfite and check sulfite residuals weekly. Also, it is important to ensure the boiler tubes stay fully emerge in the water to prevent tube corrosion.

How do I dry lay up a boiler?
Drain, clean, allow time to dry, insert desiccant or hydrated lime to absorb the oxygen, and carefully seal the boiler to prevent air leaks. Inspect the desiccant or hydrated lime periodically.