White Paper: Boiler Water Treatment Chemicals, Feed, And Control - Perhaps It Is More Complicated Than We Thought

By Dave Christophersen, Veolia Water Technologies

Chemicals used to treat steam boiler systems are applied based upon the demand and mode of reaction of each chemical used. The theoretical versus actual consumption and the ease of control of these chemicals can vary according to many factors specific to each application.

Dosages and controls of chemicals are affected by how and where they are fed. The reaction and residual part of the chemical dosage calculation equation can affect control and results. Looking at the reaction percent helps decide whether it will work. The residual percent tells how easy it is to control. If all waters, all pretreatment equipment, all condensate, all feed equipment, all operators, and all boilers were the same, the chemical treatment would become routine, rather simple, easy, and reliable. However, since each steam system is unique in many ways, there are plenty of opportunities to provide application expertise by understanding each specific condition and the associated problems.