Boiler Water Treatment Chemical Suppliers

The primary objectives in boiler design, operation and effective treatment include: efficiency in heat transfer, minimisation of energy usage, production of pure steam and safe, reliable operation.

The problems encountered in steam-raising plant can be severe if scale formation and corrosion are allowed to occur. Problems can range from loss of efficiency and reduction of plant life to, at worst, catastrophic failure. It is also necessary to prevent boiler water carryover, where boiler water (including its dissolved solids) is carried into the steam, sludge deposition and foaming.

Both external and internal treatment of the boiler water is used for optimal operation. An effective internal boiler treatment programme involves the addition of chemicals to the feed water, boiler water and steam in order to confer desirable attributes, or to react with traces of undesirable constituents which can remain after external treatment. Typically, oxygen scavengers, dispersants and alkalinity builders are standard. Other products including condensate line corrosion inhibitors and antifoams may also be used.

In January 2024, we launched an innovative range of polyamine inhibitors for Steam boilers. These multifunctional products offer an all-in-one solution, enhancing heat transfer, providing exceptional corrosion protection, and offering a cost-effective treatment option. Containing neutralizing amines and polymer dispersants, they are highly effective for comprehensive boiler treatment. Polyamine programs replace traditional treatments that require multiple chemicals, protecting the entire boiler system, including feedwater, boiler, and steam condensate surfaces. Benefits include reduced chemical costs, along with significant energy and water savings.

Oxygen Scavengers

A major cause of corrosion in boilers is dissolved oxygen, particularly in conjunction with low pH (low alkalinity) although excessive alkalinity can also be a factor. Chemical oxygen scavengers are used to eliminate oxygen from the feed water. The main types of oxygen scavenger are shown below:

Product code	Composition	Comments
BV669	Sulphite based.	FDA approved, catalysed sodium metabisulphite.
BV177	Sulphite and DEHA based.	Dual action corrosion inhibitor for steam raising plant and hot water systems. Generally used in smaller systems.
BV173	Tannin Based.	FDA approved. Concentrated formulation. Useful for boilers with low feedwater temperature.
BV166	Sodium Erythorbate.	For steam raising plant operating up to 40bar. Can be used where the steam comes into contact with food or food products.
BV449	Sodium erythorbate and neutralising amine based formulation.	For steam raising plant operating up to 40bar. Can be used where the steam comes into contact with food or food products (other than milk and providing the neutralising amine is less than 15ppm in the condensate).
BV176	DEHA based formulation.	Very concentrated DEHA based formulation.
BV175	DEHA based formulation.	For steam raising plant and hot water systems including medium pressure hot water systems.
BV681	Carbohydrazide based formulation	Suitable for use in boilers of any pressure up to and including supercritical (220 bar g)

Dispersants

Scale results from the formation of insoluble calcium and magnesium salts and is seen as a rock like coating on the inside of boiler tubes. A conditioner is required which will react with any residual hardness present in the incoming feed water, and prevent precipitation of scale onto the boiler surface. Phosphate, polymers and chelant treatments are typically used. Sludge conditioners tend to be organic polymers and help to prevent the adherence of suspended solids onto heat transfer surfaces. The polymers combine with precipitates and the resultant electrical charge on the particle surface enables the particles to be dispersed so that they may be removed by blow-down.

Product code	Composition	Comments
BV34	Polymer and phosphate based formulation	For use as a scale and sludge conditioner for steam boilers preventing scales adhering to the metal surfaces. Use with softened or low hardness waters, FDA approved. Concentrated formulation.
BV1099	Polymer, phosphate and caustic based formulation	For use as a scale and sludge conditioner for steam boilers preventing scales adhering to the metal surfaces. Use with softened or low hardness waters, FDA approved. Concentrated formulation. Increases alkalinity.
BV37	A blend of polymers and sequestrants.	Useful for cleaning scale and sludge from boilers whilst they are on-line. FDA approved.
BV451	Phosphate and caustic based formulation.	A pH regulator for high pressure steam generation plant. Contains only components approved by the FDA for the treatment of boilers where the steam contacts food.
BV917	Phosphate and caustic based formulation.	A pH regulator for high pressure steam generation plant. Contains only components approved by the FDA for the treatment of boilers where the steam contacts food.

Alkalinity Builders

Alkalinity builders are essential in steam boilers for preventing corrosion by raising pH levels, thus protecting metal surfaces. They help prevent scale formation by keeping dissolved minerals in solution, ensuring efficient heat transfer. These builders maintain the optimal pH range (8.5-10.5) for efficient boiler operation and protect steam and condensate lines from corrosive substances. Additionally, they provide buffering capacity, stabilizing pH levels and preventing sudden changes that could lead to corrosion or scale formation.

Product code	Composition	Comments
BV24	An aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide.	A pH adjuster for steam boilers where there is insufficient alkalinity in the feed water. Complies with FDA regulations for steam that comes into contact with food.
BV792	An aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide + polymer.	A pH adjuster for steam boilers where there is insufficient alkalinity in the feed water. Also contains a polymer dispersant which disperses residual hardness. Complies with FDA regulations.
BV23	An aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide.	Concentrated pH adjuster for steam boilers where there is insufficient alkalinity in the feed water. Complies with FDA regulations for steam that comes into contact with food.
BV518	An aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide.	Very concentrated pH adjuster for steam boilers where there is insufficient alkalinity in the feed water. Complies with FDA regulations for steam that comes into contact with food.
BV965	An aqueous solution of sodium and potassium hydroxide.	Very concentrated formulation. pH adjuster for steam boilers where there is insufficient alkalinity in the feed water.

Return Line Treatments

Corrosion can also occur in condensate return lines. Corrosion can be caused by oxygen in the steam or carbon dioxide which leads to the production of carbonic acid. Oxygen should ideally have been dealt with by the treatment of the feed water but any remaining can be removed using steam volatile oxygen scavengers. Carbon dioxide corrosion can be controlled by pre-treatment techniques or by the addition of steam volatile neutralising and filming amines. Filming amines are generally dosed into the steam lines and form a protective film on the surface of the condensate lines. Neutralising amines enter the condensate lines with the steam and neutralise the carbonic acid thereby raising the pH.

Product code	Composition	Comments
BV1714	Filming amines and neutralising amines.	A combination of filming amines and neutralising amines for the prevention of condensate pipework corrosion.
BV1733	Cyclohexylamine and morpholine based formulation.	Condensate line corrosion inhibitor for steam raising plant.
BV467	Non-amine based.	A low toxicity condensate line corrosion inhibitor. FDA approved for use in steam raising plant where the steam contacts food. Maximum approved dose rate 20ppm. Must be dosed into steam header.
BV1534	Cyclohexylamine, Morpholine and Diethylaminoethanol	Condensate line corrosion inhibitor which will extend the life of pipework by 'retarding' the rate of grooving.
BV1705	Diethylaminoethanol	A simple to use, cost effective neutralising return line treatment.

Multipurpose Boiler Treatments

Sulphite based

All the below sulphite based multi-purpose boiler products comply with the FDA regulations for steam that comes into contact with food. The below product formulations differ in their composition in particular in their sulphite and caustic levels. If further advice on product selection is required please contact the Technical Team at B&V Chemicals.

Product code	Composition	Comments
BV150	Catalysed Sulphite, phosphate, polymer, high caustic.	A multipurpose sulphite based product for smaller steam boilers. . This product complies with FDA regulations for steam that comes into contact with food.
BV151	Catalysed Sulphite, polymer, high caustic.	A multipurpose sulphite based product for small steam boilers, low and medium hot water systems or steam generators. . This product complies with FDA regulations for steam that comes into contact with food.
BV805	Catalysed Sulphite, phosphate, polymer, high caustic.	A multipurpose concentrated sulphite based product for steam raising plant. . This product complies with FDA regulations for steam that comes into contact with food.
BV1001	Catalysed Sulphite, phosphate, polymer, high caustic.	A multipurpose concentrated sulphite based product for steam raising plant. . This product complies with FDA regulations for steam that comes into contact with food.
BV149	High catalysed Sulphite, phosphate, polymer, low caustic.	A multipurpose concentrated sulphite based product for steam raising plant. . This product complies with FDA regulations for steam that comes into contact with food.

Polyamine Based

Low solids multi-purpose ‘one drum’ products.

For more detailed information on our polyamine inhibitors for steam boilers, please visit this page. Additionally, you may find the following blogs on this topic helpful:

Product code	Composition	Comments
BV1727	A blend of volatile film-forming and neutralising amines	A blend of volatile film-forming and neutralising amines. Suitable for softened and RO fed systems. Contains raw materials approved by the FDA (food and drug administration) legislation paragraph 21 cfr173.310 meets NSF requirements for use in food sites, but must not be used on dairy sites. Provides protection to the condensate lines, boiler and feed system and controls scaling.
BV1731	A blend of volatile film-forming and neutralising amines	A blend of volatile film-forming and neutralising amines. Suitable for softened and RO fed systems. provides protection to the condensate lines, boiler and feed system, and controls scaling suitable for middle sized systems with condensate lines between 250m-750m.
BV1728	A blend of volatile film-forming and neutralising amines	A blend of volatile film-forming and neutralising amines. Suitable for softened and RO fed systems. Provides protection to the condensate lines, boiler and feed system and controls scaling. Suitable for small systems with condensate lines <250m.
BV1732	A blend of volatile film-forming and neutralising amines and dispersant.	A blend of volatile film-forming and neutralising amines. Suitable for softened and RO fed systems. Contains dispersant. Provides protection to the condensate lines, boiler and feed system. The crystallisation of salts is modified, ensuring any precipitates are produced in a non-adherent form and their dispersion is enhanced, thus controlling scaling.

Tannin Based

Product code	Composition	Comments
BV144	Tannin and sodium hydroxide based formulation.	A multipurpose product containing an oxygen scavenger with added alkalinity for steam boilers and LPHW. . This product complies with FDA regulations for steam that comes into contact with food.
BV970	Tannin, sodium hydroxide and polymer based formulation.	A multipurpose product containing an oxygen scavenger with dispersants and caustic alkalinity. Suitable for cold feed systems where dissolved oxygen levels are high. . This product complies with FDA regulations for steam that comes into contact with food.
BV1434	Tannin, sodium hydroxide and polymer based formulation.	A multipurpose product for smaller boilers containing an oxygen scavenger with dispersants and caustic alkalinity. Suitable for cold feed systems where dissolved oxygen levels are high. . This product complies with FDA regulations for steam that comes into contact with food.

Specialist Products

Product code	Composition	Comments
BV1	Boiler anti-foam. Polyalkyl glycol ether based formulation.	An antifoam suitable for steam boilers to prevent foaming and carryover of the boiler water into the steam. Acts as the water steam interface to control foam generation. This product complies with FDA regulations for steam that comes into contact with food.
BV243	Alkaline ‘boil-out’ chemical. Sodium hydroxide, low foaming surfactant and polymeric dispersant based formulation.	A combination of strong alkalis and surfactants for removing grease and manufacturing debris for new steam boilers before commissioning and being placed into service.
BV83	Resin cleaner Phosphonates and organic acid.	A resin cleaner for base exchange softening plant.
BV501	Salt granules	For regeneration of base exchange softener resins.

For more information on this product please refer to our blog; Alkaline boil out using C32SPC https://www.bvwater.co.uk/b-v-chemicals-blogs/alkaline-boil-out-using-c32spc

STEAM Boiler Treatment Chemicals

Oxygen Scavengers

Dispersants

Alkalinity Builders

Return Line Treatments

Multipurpose Boiler Treatments

Polyamine Based

Tannin Based

Specialist Products

Supply Partners

Chemical Treatments

Lab Analysis

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