Section Ii: Boiler Care; General; New Boiler Cleanout; Water Conditions - Lattner Boiler Company H.E. Instruction Manual

CAUTION: Read and follow all instructions before servicing any boiler.
A. General
The life expectancy of any boiler will depend on the routine
care given to the boiler. The condition of the water inside the
boiler is the most important factor in determining the life of
the boiler. The new boiler must be cleaned, proper water
treatment must be used over the life of the boiler, and a
regular blowdown schedule must be followed. To ensure
continuous reliable operation, it is also important that the
water feed system be maintained, the burners operate
correctly, and the boiler be inspected periodically.
B. New Boiler Clean Out
1. Purpose
Regardless of the care used in the manufacture of steel
boilers, a certain amount of oil, grease and pipe dope will
still be in the boiler when shipped from the factory. Oil in
a boiler can cause water to foam and bounce. This
creates an unstable water line and causes water to carry
over in the steam lines. To remove oil and grease from a
new boiler, use the supply of Lattner Boiler Compound
sent with the boiler.
2. Directions
When installation is complete and boiler has been filled
with water, remove the safety valve or use any capped or
plugged opening above the water line. Pour in a mixture
of Lattner Boiler
instructions on the label of the boiler compound and use
initial dose as outlined. Fire the boiler and maintain
steam pressure of at least 10 psi for a minimum of two
hours. This permits the boiler compound to cook and
loosen the oil and grease from all metal surfaces. Then
shut off the boiler switch, allowing the boiler to cool for
one hour and the steam pressure to drop to 0 psi. Open
the blowdown valve to the wide open position allowing all
water and steam to be blown out of the boiler. Allow
boiler to cool to approximately room temperature before
filling with cool water.
When using a condensate return system with a boiler, it
is advisable to waste all of the condensate for the first
day or two. This will keep the oils not taken care of by the
boiler compound from going back through the pump and
into the boiler. If this is not possible then the new boiler
clean out procedure becomes imperative.
NOTE: Never fill a hot, empty boiler with cold water.
C. Water Conditions
1. Oxygen Scavenging
Generally, boiler feedwater will contain oxygen and
dissolved minerals. Inside the boiler, the heat will cause
the oxygen to separate from the water.

Section II: Boiler Care

Compound with water.
The oxygen will then attack exposed metal surfaces.
This leads to corrosion and localized pitting of the
metal.
3. Scale Deposits
As the water boils, the dissolved minerals will separate
from the water and attach to the boiler shell forming
scale deposits. Scale will deposit on all surfaces below
the water line. Scale deposits will plug the piping and
damage the controls.
Layers of scale on the boiler shell act as an insulator,
preventing heat transfer to the water. This will lower the
boiler efficiency and cause the boiler shell to retain
heat. Overheating the boiler shell will cause permanent
damage to the pressure vessel.
Scale deposits inside the boiler can retain enough heat
to cause the pressure to continue to rise after the
burner is shut off. The pressure may rise enough to lift
the safety valve.
D. Water Treatments & Chemicals
1. Purpose of Water Treatment
Water treatment chemicals are added to the boiler
water to prevent the damaging effects of scale and
oxygen corrosion. A complete chemical treatment
Follow program must also control the pH level in addition to
providing both an oxygen scavenger and control of
dissolved solids. The chemicals react with the dissolved
solids and dissolved oxygen. This prevents the solids
and the oxygen from attacking the boiler.
2. Selecting Water Treatment
The boiler feedwater should always be tested by a
competent water treatment company that can analyze
the boiler water and recommend the best water
treatment program for the boiler based on water quality.
Some water treatment companies will ask for more
samples after the boiler has been in use, to make sure
that the water treatment used is adequate. There are
several competent water treatment companies that can
test, analyze, recommend and supply a boiler feedwater
treatment program.
E.

Water Softener

A water softener by itself is not a complete treatment
program. A softener controls a substantial portion of the
dissolved solids. However, it does not remove dissolved
oxygen or control pH level.
Never use zero grain soft water without additional chemical
treatment. Whenever a softener is used, chemical treatment
is still necessary for oxygen scavenging and controlling pH.
14