Boiler operators know that one of the most critical aspects of operating a boiler is well balanced water chemistry. To ensure a well balance mix involves continually monitoring makeup water, condensate, feedwater and boiler water qualities.
ABB Inc’s Jon Penn recently published an article in Power Engineering that lists four major contaminants that jeopardize power plant operation and maintenance: dissolved oxygen, hydrazine, sodium and silica. As mentioned in the article, “The absence of adequate monitoring and control will almost certainly lead to both increased costs and more frequent component failures. Evidence shows that allowing boiler chemistry to vary from specified limits can result in expensive plant outages, potentially incurring costs of more than $1 million per day.”
This is an important subject for all boiler owners and proper water treatment will increase the life of your equipment. You can read the entire article at: http://www.power-eng.com/articles/print/volume-118/issue-2/abma-special-section/four-boiler-contaminants-that-jeopardize-power-plant-operation-and-maintenance.html