Boiler-Water-Treatment-Chemicals

Boiler Treatment Chemicals

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.

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

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
BV216 Filming amines and neutralising amines. A combination of filming amines and neutralising amines for the prevention of condensate pipework corrosion.
BV219 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.

Product code Composition Comments
BV1112 A blend of polyamines, neutralising amines and polymers. An organic based product which prevents corrosion in boilers fed on softened water, by forming a protective film on metal surfaces. The volatility of the components ensures protection of steam and condensate lines from a single dosing position, as well as the feed and boiler system.
BV1045 A blend of polyamines and neutralising amines. An organic based product which prevents corrosion in boilers fed on demineralised water, by forming a protective film on metal surfaces. The volatility of the components ensures protection of steam and condensate lines from a single dosing position, as well as the feed and boiler system.

 

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.
Product code Composition Comments
BV78 28% Hydrochloric acid. For acid descaling.

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Supply Partners

HuwaSan specialise in the production and distribution of chemicals for water treatment. B & V Chemicals are water treatment supply partners in the UK.