How water quality impacts boiler performance?
Reliability is absolutely essential to optimal boiler performance. In order to achieve the highest degree of dependability in a boiler it is important to identify and address the primary causes of boiler problems. One of the most common issues that can compromise a boiler is poor water quality.
The effect of water quality on boiler performance is a huge concern for plant owners and operators. Premature boiler failure often occurs as a result of poor or inconsistent feed water quality. Hard water elements in feed water are responsible for a number of issues:
Scale Build Up
The concentration of minerals in water, referred to as TDS (total dissolved solids), includes calcium, magnesium and silica. These elements in feed water can cause a dense scale to build up and harden on the surfaces within boiler equipment. Scale build up typically develops on the hottest surfaces and reduces flow through pipe which prevents the efficient transfer of heat.
Iron Corrosion
Iron can be soluble or insoluble. It can clog valves and strainers and accumulate at the bottom of the boiler in the form of heavy sludge. Reducing iron in the water prevents corrosion and substantially increases the life of the boiler and associated equipment.
Oxygen Pitting in Boilers
Even in small concentrations, oxygen is highly corrosive when present in hot water. One of the most damaging kinds of oxygen corrosion is oxygen pitting, which involves concentrated pitting and corrosion in a very small area. Even though only a relatively small amount of corrosion and loss of metal has occurred, tube failure can happen.
Natural Water Bases
Bases such as bicarbonates, carbonates, hydroxides, silicates, borates, and phosphates in natural water breakdown to form carbon dioxide in steam. This is a major factor in the corrosion of condensate lines and contributes to foaming.
Water softeners, demineralizers or reverse osmosis systems can be used along or in combination to effective manage water issues and improve feed water quality. If water quality is a concern, selecting the right boiler type can also help. Fire tube boilers are a good choice if water hardness is an issue.
-
DHX coal-fired CFB (circulating fluidized bed) steam boilerLive Chat20-75 t/h1.25-1.6 MPa
-
SZS series gas-fired (oil-fired) steam boilerLive Chat2-110 t/h1.25-5.3 MPa
-
DZL series biomass-fired steam boilerLive Chat2-10 t/h1-2.5 MPa
-
Email us
-
WhatsApp: +86 18861589035
WeChat: +86 13506150756
Live Chat
-
On the thriving industrial land of Shandong, the continuous demand for thermal energy supply from enterprises drives the transformation of the boiler industry. With profound technical expertise and ongoing innovation, ZOZEN Boiler remains at the forefront of providing high-quality, adaptable boiler models for various industries. ZOZEN Boiler Provides Tailored Boiler Solutions for Shandong Industries Looking back, the cooperation projects with Shandong Luhua Group and Shandong...29 Jul 2025
-
In the industrial zone of Wen’an County, Xinghua Cable Co., Ltd. is making steady progress on its project with an annual production capacity of 11 million meters of wires, cables, and accessories, backed by an investment of RMB 520 million. Upon completion, the project is expected to create over 150 jobs and generate annual sales revenue of RMB 800 million, demonstrating promising prospects. As a key supplier of thermal energy equipment, ZOZEN Boiler is quietly supporting the development o...22 Jul 2025
-
On March 20, 2025, the Guizhou Jinyuan Zhijin “Replacing Small Units with Large Ones” Relocation Project (2×660 MW), under State Power Investment Corporation, successfully achieved the first ignition of its boiler. This project replaced traditional oil-fired ignition fuel with liquefied natural gas (LNG), setting a new precedent for employing clean energy in 660 MW ultra-supercritical “W” flame boilers. As a key equipment supplier for this project, ZOZEN Boiler prov...15 Jul 2025