FULTON VMP40 Installation, Operation And Maintenance Manual page 27

Installation
CHLORIDES/CHLORINE
Chlorides are generally
detrimental in stainless steel systems only.
Stress corrosion cracking can occur from
high chlorides.
High chlorine levels can cause severe
corrosion. Corrosion from chlorine can be
controlled by removal via carbon filtration.
City water can contain high levels of
chlorine.
OIL
Oil is not a natural constituent of boiler
water; still it can frequently enter a system
through leaks in a condenser or other heat
exchanger. Oil can also enter a system
through the lubrication of steam driven
reciprocating equipment. Whatever the
source, the presence of oil in boiler water is
undesirable.
Foaming is one indication of oil in boiler
water. Its presence can also be confirmed
by first shaking a bottle containing boiler
water. If oil is present foam will result. To
ensure the foaming is being caused by oil,
add a small amount of powdered activated
carbon to the bottle containing the boiler
water and shake. Little or no foam will
appear if the foaming is caused by oil.
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VMP IOM
Often oil in boiler water will originate in the
condensate. This contaminated condensate
considered
should be directed to the sewer until the
source of the oil is determined and corrective
steps taken. Boiler and boiler system piping
boil out procedure are designed to rid a
system of oil contamination.
IRON (OXIDES)
Iron in any of its oxide or complex forms is
undesirable in boiler water. It is very difficult
to disperse so that it can be removed the
bottom blow-down lines.
Iron in its various forms can originate in the
raw water makeup, condensate return water,
or form directly in the boiler as a result of
corrosion. Most iron oxide originates outside
the boiler. It concentrates in the boiler and it
tends to collect in stagnant areas. If a boiler
is using raw water makeup, iron is almost
certain to be a major component of
developing scale or sludge deposits.
WATER HARDNESS
Water hardness is the measure of
calcium and magnesium content as
calcium carbonate equivalents. Water
hardness is a primary source of scale in
boiler equipment. Hardness is removed
by water softeners or RO/DI systems. It
can also be treated with various
chemical treatments (i.e. Phosphates).
FEEDWATER
Feedwater is the combination of fresh
makeup and returning condensate that is
pumped to the boiler. Hot (>180°F)
feedwater, free of hardness, solids and
oxygen will yield the most protection to a
boiler.
CONDENSATE
Condensate is condensed steam that is
normally low in dissolved solids. Hence, it
does not contribute to the dissolved solid
content of the feedwater. In addition,
condensate is very expensive to waste. It's
been chemically treated, heated, pumped,
converted to steam, and condensed. This
costs money and when condensate is
returned to the boiler, money is saved.