Boiler Water Treatment

Steam boilers are used a wide variety of applications ranging from heating applications, to providing steam to industrial processes, to generating power. Each use case presents different challenges that must be taken into account to help protect the assets as well as maintain optimal fuel efficiency. Apollo Water Services is well versed in all aspects ranging from the pretreatment systems feed the steam boilers, to the chemicals required, to the regulatory considerations. Our field personnel work with our corporate staff to ensure the best possible program is established, sophisticated monitoring systems are deployed and on-going monitoring and optimization are implemented.

Oxygen is all around us...in the air and dissolved in water. Under normal conditions the oxygen dissolved in water doesn't typically pose very many issues; however, at the elevated temperatures encountered in steam boiler systems this can be much more problematic. To combat the issues with dissolved oxygen most boiler systems have some form of feedwater heating or deaeration to mechanical scrub the feedwater of oxyxgen. Our field representatives keep a close eye on the performance of this part of the system to make sure as much dissolved oxygen is removed as possible. Then most of our programs have an oxygen scavenging component that reacts with any residual dissolved oxygen so that the system metallurgy is protected from corrosion. Our programs consist of traditional sulfites, organic-based, DEHA, and other passivating agents.

As boiler feedwater is introduced to a steam boiler it begins to be stressed due to the elevation of temperature and pressure. At these more stressful conditions there is a risk of having mineral scale deposition along with the deposition of iron oxide from the condensate/feedwater systems. Apollo Water Service's product line has many different types of chemicals ranging from phosphate based to all polymer type programs. Our field personnel select the best product based on the conditions and risks associated with the system.

When steam is created it is primarily composed of water vapor; however, there is almost always some carbon dioxide and other gases entrained. As the steam condenses to form condensate the carbon dioxide gas dissolves into the water, resulting in acidic conditions. Left untreated, this condensate would corrode out the piping and cause leaks and equipment replacement costs. We have different types of condensate treatment programs available ranging from amines, to filmers to passivators.