Boiler water treatments are an essential way to maintain a commercial boiler. This descaling treatment protects against corrosion, ensures a continuous heat exchange and produces high-quality steam. In turn, it can also help the machinery run more efficiently while optimizing costs.

Regular descaling treatments also work to extend the life of the boiler and avoid thermal damage issues.

Most commonly, building owners rely on a boiler treatment service to conduct regular descaling treatments. The service is often complex and requires an individual analysis to correctly calibrate materials to condition the water and clean the equipment.

What Types of Boiler Treatments Are There?

There are two phases or “types” of boiler treatments. First, there is the’external treatment‘; this is the process of removing impurities from water that exist outside of the boiler. When one or more of the feed water impurities are too high, it can compromise the boiler.’ Types of external treatments include evaporation, deaeration, softening, and membrane contractors; those can be used to make feedwater for a system.’

Second, internal treatment conditions the impurities that are already in the boiler. Reactions occur in the boiler proper or the feed lines. During this process, phosphates and dispersants, or softening chemicals are introduced to neutralize the water hardness. Natural and synthetic dispersants or polymers act as anti-scaling agents. Sequestering agents, oxygen scavengers, and anti-foaming agents are also put in during this treatment.

Boilers can undergo an internal treatment alone, or may be subject to one of these in conjunction with external treatment. Ultimately, the goal of a water treatment is to maintain the pH and alkalinity in order to condition water hardness and sludge, scavenge oxygen and prevent boiler water foaming.’

Why Does my Boiler Need to be Descaled?

Without a descaling treatment, your unit may overheat or experience boiler tube failures. The scale, or buildup of minerals, stops the effective transfer of heat through the tube to the circulating water.

Boiler scaling can also cause any of the following issues:

  • Overheating
  • Softened, breaking or bulging boiler tubes and other thermal damage
  • Unscheduled down time
  • Decrease in operational efficiency
  • Rise in cleaning costs and increase in cleaning time
  • Shorter boiler life

When Should I Schedule a Boiler Water Treatment?

In order to determine when a commercial boiler requires a descaling treatment, check with the manufacturer. Boiler treatments should be done once a month, and many companies retain a professional water treatment company to perform the regular treatments.’

American Boiler Company‘can help guide you through this process. To schedule an appointment or talk to one of our knowledgeable sales professionals, click here or call us at (973) 923-1999.