Companies must use the proper chemistry and equipment to treat steam boilers. Experienced consultants, with deep industry expertise, are valuable guides in this process.
Boiler systems are critical components of plants and facilities and inadequate boiler treatment will result in:
- Process downtime
- Expensive repair/replacement costs
- Inefficient system operations
Boiler system components and the processes that create deposits and corrosion are varied and complex. Boiler systems require effective chemical treatment and accurate monitoring and control.
Northstar’s Boiler Treatment Services
Northstar field engineers provide the highest level of boiler treatment expertise available. Our specialists can guide customers in treating a wide range of systems, from high-pressure steam generators to hot water boilers.
We offer a full line of boiler treatment chemicals, testing, and control equipment at an economical cost.
Our boiler treatment programs can:
- Increase system efficiency
- Decrease plant downtime and maintenance costs
- Extend equipment life
Developers design boiler treatment programs primarily to keep heat transfer surfaces (boilers, condensate/feedwater systems, and, where applicable, steam turbines) free from deposition and corrosion.
Boiler deposits typically contain undesirable levels of metal oxides, mineral scale, or sludge. These deposits can affect circulation and heat transfer, and initiate under-deposit corrosion.
Corrosion in lower-pressure boilers is frequently the result of air ingress and dissolved oxygen concentration during unit downtimes. These phenomena often lead to failures and unscheduled shutdowns.
Protection of all systems within a steam boiler plant (pretreatment, steam generation, and post-boiler) is critical for reliable, efficient, and safe operation.
Many plant insurance policies require regular inspections by insurance inspectors. In addition to insurance-required inspections, you can maintain the integrity of your system’s components with regular consultations and system assessments by boiler treatment experts.
Northstar’s field engineers have many years of experience with boiler water treatment. We have built a team of engineers who are highly trained in boiler plant operations. Our team can guide you in dealing with the mechanical and chemical challenges of steam boilers.
Northstar’s Evaluation Benefits Boiler Systems Processes
After evaluating the steam generator network, our technical experts can identify items to improve plant efficiency and equipment reliability. Below is a list of just some of the equipment or locations where process evaluations can be very beneficial:
Makeup Water Treatment
Depending on the boiler pressure, our engineers will recommend makeup treatments ranging from simple softening to sophisticated demineralization.
Ingress of impurities into a steam boiler system can cause significant and sometimes catastrophic problems if not detected and corrected promptly. Northstar boiler treatment consultants can assist in evaluating the required system for the application and can also help troubleshoot when a system malfunctions.
Condensate/Feedwater
Proper condensate/feedwater treatment is very important in boiler treatment operations.
In-leakage of impurities via a condenser tube failure can cause catastrophic damage in boiler tubes.
Northstar representatives have application experience and testing/monitoring solutions for detecting impurity ingress and protecting your boiler feedwater system from corrosion.
We can also help you determine whether a deaerator is needed in your system, and help solve deaerator issues, including:
- Misaligned or damaged deaerator trays or spray nozzles
- Improper or damaged pressure-reducing valves
- Failure to maintain continuous positive steam pressure
- Infrequent or improper venting
- Leaks in the external vent condenser
Boiler Water Treatment
Even when feedwater chemistry is controlled within ASME, IAPWS, or EPRI guidelines, internal boiler treatment is still necessary to control deposition and corrosion in the high-temperature environment of the steam boiler.
Preventing excess carryover of water and impurities to the steam system is also critical. Like treatment for condensate/feedwater, boiler treatment chemistry programs continue to evolve. Northstar technicians can advise on chemistry and offer solutions to keep systems in proper order.
Depending on the steam generator configuration and pressure, one of several internal treatments may be best. Boiler water chemistry evaluation and monitoring are also highly important to ensure impurities do not carry over to the steam system.
The boiler treatment products provided by Northstar Chemical meets the following certifications:
FDA, USDA, Kosher, Halal, non-GMO, and NSF
For more information, visit our certifications page.
