Should I be shocked by this boiler feed water quality?

[Jebbles]

I've just recently started at a new company.
One of my first activities I installed a bunch of monitoring instruments on the boiler system (I have no experience with boilers) and requested an external team to come do water quality benchmark testing.

Both TDS and Chlorides are VERY high and indicate to me that blowdown is not being done properly/frequently.

the Hardness has historically been VERY high. From a quick search online the boiler water itself should ideally sit between 0-7ppm.
There is an ion-exchange treatment unit, it does seem to be functioning (hardness drops between raw water->soft-water->feed-water) but perhaps its malfunctioning/undersized?

pH control has been maintained well between 10.0 and 12.5
Another issue is the dissolved O2...The system has no pre-heater and no de-aerator, they only do chemical tanning dosing. Is it incorrect to assume that if the tannin/sulphites level from a sample within the boiler is within the recommended range that the dissolved O2 would likewise be acceptable? We do not have a means of measuring dissolved O2 directly.

 

[pierreick]

Hi,
Consider the link attached

https://www.suezwatertechnologies.com/handbook/handbook-industrial-water-treatment

You should request the company selling chemicals for your boiler to evaluate on a regular basis the performance of the treatment in place as part of the contract .
My view
Pierre

 

[EdStainless]

Bring someone in to consult on this. The location and conditioning (temp and pressure reduction) of the sampling has a big influence on what you measure. You may need to take some other samples in order to sort this out.
The water quality need is related the temp and pressure of the boiler, the higher the temp the cleaner that the water needs to be.
What is the steam used for?
I condensate collected and recycled?
Is there any condensate polishing?

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed

 

[Dhurjati Sen]

Go thru the Operation Manual of the boiler.

Should have been the first thing to do instead of installing monitoring instruments which (from your own accord) you are not too sure where to install, maybe?

Was your previous company in the business of monitoring instruments?

Cheers.

DHURJATI SEN

 

[bimr]

Yes, you should be shocked.

Many small firms don't have the expertise to operate a boiler and rely on the boiler chemical suppliers to manage the chemical control. Interview suppliers and select a knowledgeable supplier.