Boiler Corrosion Inhibitor Programs
Boiler corrosion leads to localized pitting and/or thinning of pipe and tube surfaces, resulting in leaks and tube failures. Corrosion also leads to fouling when precipitated metals settle onto heat exchange surfaces. These problems can result in costly downtime and repairs.
In the presence of oxygen and water, boiler system corrosion occurs as metals attempt to revert to their natural state (such as iron oxide Fe2O3 or Fe3O4). Other problems include corrosion beneath deposits and in mechanically-stressed areas, and corrosion caused by the presence of carbon dioxide dissolved in water (condensate). Boiler corrosion is accelerated by high temperatures and low pH. Therefore, it is important to take a holistic approach to your corrosion inhibition programs. Boiler operations should also be continually monitored for hardness, iron, copper, oxygen, and pH.
ChemTreat excels at treating boilers, as our field engineers have the most experience in the industry and leverage their knowledge to engineer the optimal treatment program that fits your system. ChemTreat has numerous products to inhibit boiler corrosion.
ChemTreat’s boiler corrosion control inhibitor programs may include the following:
Oxygen Scavengers
Our portfolio of products designed to control the dissolved oxygen level in the boiler water environment includes sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, diethylhydroxylamine, and erythorbate-based chemistries.
Alkalinity
High-alkalinity levels in boiler feedwater can lead to high volumes of boiler blowdown and potentially high carbon dioxide levels in the steam and, ultimately, in the condensate. Dealkalizers and decarbonators remove or lower bicarbonate alkalinity. By incorporating a dealkalizer, our customers have experienced higher cycles of concentration, reduced chemical feed rates, and lower operating costs. We have experience servicing chloride anion dealkalizers, split stream dealkalizers, weak acid cation dealkalizers, and reverse osmosis systems.
Alkalinity Builders
Effective boiler water treatment requires the maintenance of proper levels of boiler water alkalinity in low- and medium-pressure boilers to reduce corrosion. The proper alkalinity level also provides sufficient hydroxide for the preferred reactions between calcium and phosphate, and magnesium with silica. Failure to maintain excess hydroxide alkalinity can result in sticky, adherent calcium phosphate sludge not easily conditioned for ultimate removal from the boiler water circuit. This can be a real problem where makeup water is not softened and boiler chemical residual is poorly controlled. In extreme cases, gypsum (calcium sulfate) deposition will occur. These deposits are extremely difficult to remove and must be avoided. Adequate boiler water alkalinity is usually derived from the natural alkalinity present in the makeup water. Adding an alkalinity builder is required whenever natural alkalinities are insufficient to create the desirable free caustic range in the boiler water. ChemTreat has several products that increase boiler water alkalinity.
Amine Boiler Treatment
High levels of CO2 in the steam and condensate require increased levels of neutralizing amines to prevent condensate corrosion. ChemTreat offers filming amine solutions to protect metal by forming a film that prevents harmful iron and copper corrosion. For FDA- or USDA-regulated operations, ChemTreat has custom-engineered products, including non-amine filming technology.