Boiler water is the water used in a boiler system, which is either fed into the boiler as feed water or heated in the boiler itself to generate steam. The quality of the boiler water is crucial for the safe and efficient operation of the system, as impurities such as hardness formers or oxygen can lead to scaling, corrosion and efficiency losses.
Table of contents
Technical functionality
In a steam boiler system, water is heated under pressure until it turns into a gaseous state. The resulting steam is then used for various industrial applications. Strict control of the water quality is essential to prevent damage to the system and maintain its performance. To ensure this, the boiler water and feed water must be kept in optimum condition.
Photo: State-of-the-art steam boiler system
Challenges in water quality
The quality of the boiler feed water is of crucial importance for the safe operation of the steam boiler system. Impurities such as hardness constituents, oxygen, carbon dioxide and dissolved solids can cause serious operating problems:
- Scaling (scale formation): Deposits of calcium and magnesium salts lead to inefficient heat transfer and overheating of the boiler.
- Corrosion: Oxygen and carbon dioxide in the feed water attack the metallic components of the system, which can lead to leaks and corrosion damage.
ALMAWATECH products to support boiler systems
To avoid these problems, ALMAWATECH offers a wide range of equipment and treatment systems that have been specially developed for steam boiler systems:
1st ALMA AQUA boiler
Boiler water systems require special chemicals to prevent corrosion, deposits and steam contamination. The ALMA AQUA Boiler-products offer comprehensive solutions for boiler water treatment:
Corrosion inhibitors: They prevent the oxidation of metal surfaces in the boiler systems and extend the service life of the system components.
Hardness stabilizers: These chemicals prevent the formation of scale and limescale deposits on the heat exchanger surfaces, which improves heat transfer efficiency and reduces energy consumption.
Defoamers: Defoamers prevent the formation of foam in the boiler water, which can lead to steam contamination and impair boiler operation.
Dispersants: They keep suspended solids in suspension in the water and prevent particles from settling on heat exchangers and pipes.
Oxygen binders: These remove dissolved oxygen from the water to prevent corrosion in boiler and condensate systems.
Alkalizing agents: These agents are used to increase the pH value in the boiler water and improve the conditions for corrosion prevention.
Biocides: Biocides that effectively combat microorganisms are used to prevent microbial corrosion (MIC) and fouling in the pipes and heat exchangers of boiler systems.
Photo: Product overview of various operating materials for steam boiler systems (ALMA AQUA boilers)
2 ALMA ION - Softening systems
Reliable water softening is crucial to prevent the formation of scale caused by calcium and magnesium ions. Our ALMA ION softening systems work on the basis of ion exchange resins, which remove hardness formers from the feed water. This results in soft water with a hardness level of almost 0 °dH, which is ideal for use in steam boiler systems.
The ALMA ION softening systems offer:
- Automatic regeneration: To ensure uninterrupted operation.
- High-performance resins: For a long service life and high capacity.
- Fully automatic control: monitoring and control systems for precise control of water hardness.
Photo: ALMA ION water softener for industrial applications
Conclusion
The correct treatment of the boiler water is crucial for the trouble-free and efficient operation of a steam boiler system. Through the use of our ALMA AQUA boiler-operating fluids and the ALMA ION-softening systems, excellent boiler water quality can be achieved, minimizing corrosion and deposits and maximizing efficiency. This leads to an extended service life of the system and considerable savings in operating costs.
For further information on our products, please feel free to contact us at any time!
