Whether your Atlanta business uses a boiler for industrial purposes or just to heat a large space, there are unseen forces at work in your feedwater system. Since feedwater is tucked away into a part of the system that doesn’t get checked often, an issue can start developing before you even realize it. Scaling and corrosion are two conditions that can affect the internal components of your boiler system; ignoring your water treatment or water management plan can cause your equipment to age more quickly and necessitate costly replacement or a preventable refurbishing job.
What Is Scaling?
Scaling is the process that occurs when dissolved minerals and molecules (like silica, magnesium, iron, calcium, and aluminum) precipitate and settle out of the feedwater within your system. Most boiler systems use a combination of facility water and recycled condensate for feedwater in their boilers. If your feedwater has too many dissolved minerals, they can precipitate (fall out of solution) and stick to the internal components of your boiler, clogging pipes and reducing the efficiency of heat transfer in your boiler.
Scaling in Boilers
If enough scaling builds up in your boiler’s internal components, pipes can become clogged or restricted, building up pressure and reducing the efficiency of your system. Extreme scaling has been known to cause a complete system failure; this can be costly and difficult to fix – replacement is often the best solution.
Scaling: Repair or Replace?
Depending on the severity of your system’s scaling, we may recommend replacement. In some cases, we can repair or refurbish the pieces of piping that are scaled over. The most important thing, though, is to prevent scaling in the first place.
What Is Corrosion?
Corrosion affects the same boiler components as scaling; however, the result and cause are far different. Dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide in your system’s feed water can cause corrosion – the destruction of your boiler’s metallic components. Again, this issue is caused by improper water treatment or the lack of a water management plan.
Corrosion in Industrial Boilers
If you notice corrosion in your industrial or commercial boiler, it’s probably already too late. Corrosion in these system’s components can be quite serious and costly to fix. Significant corrosion can make your system unusable or unsafe for use.
Corrosion: Refurbish or Replace?
As with scaling, we recommend that you ask for a consultation. Depending on the severity of your system’s corrosion, we may be able to refurbish your equipment without a complete replacement job. In cases where efficiency will be greatly affected, we usually recommend the replacement of your boiler system.
Preventing Scaling and Corrosion in Boilers
Since both scaling and corrosion are caused by improperly treated boiler feedwater, you can avoid issues quite easily! Here at Hydroserve Technologies, we know boilers inside and out – and the perfect composition that feedwater should have. We can test your current feedwater, evaluate its dissolved contents, and develop a tailor-made water treatment plan for your Atlanta business.
Water Treatment and Water Management in Atlanta
Since the proper composition of your boiler’s feed water is so important, you don’t want to take chances. Avoid scaling and corrosion with a simple water treatment plan. Hydroserve Technologies is your partner in all things related to water treatment and water management. We can help your Atlanta business test feed water and develop a water treatment plan that will keep your expensive systems running smoothly! Contact us today for more information!