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Leakcheck
Leakcheck Member Posts: 1
in Strictly Steam
I thought I had seen my last steam system back in New Hampshire when I owned a plumbing and heating business. Fast forward about thirty years (and a fading memory) and I am once again surrounded by 20 plus steam boilers. Here is the question:

To feed or not to feed? Are chemical feeders worthwhile, recommended or necessary?

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  • Dave in QCA
    Dave in QCA Member Posts: 1,785
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    It Depends....

    The necessity of a chemical treatment program is largely dependent on the application. What are these boilers used for. Generally speaking, cast iron boilers used for heating only applications where there is little or no makeup water usually do not need a chemical treatment program.
    Dave in Quad Cities, America
    Weil-McLain 680 with Riello 2-stage burner, December 2012. Firing rate=375MBH Low, 690MBH Hi.
    System = Early Dunham 2-pipe Vacuo-Vapor (inlet and outlet both at bottom of radiators) Traps are Dunham #2 rebuilt w. Barnes-Jones Cage Units, Dunham-Bush 1E, Mepco 1E, and Armstrong TS-2. All valves haveTunstall orifices sized at 8 oz.
    Current connected load EDR= 1,259 sq ft, Original system EDR = 2,100 sq ft Vaporstat, 13 oz cutout, 4 oz cutin - Temp. control Tekmar 279.
    http://grandviewdavenport.com
  • Rod
    Rod Posts: 2,067
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    Rhomar Water

    Hi-  This might be a useful source for you. http://www.rhomarwater.com/   You might want to contact them with your questions.  They are very helpful and good people to work with.

    - Rod
  • Joe V_2
    Joe V_2 Member Posts: 234
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    insurance

    is what it is. backed by science. My three 650 hp boilers recieve chemical water treatment and pipe internals are immaculate. treatment company takes credit for that. we just demolished a building my company bought less than a quarter mile away that had two 1970's vintage Kewanees that never had treatment and were still functional. 40+ yrs old and running without issues. would my boss consider not treating boiler water? No way! It is insurance.
  • jumper
    jumper Member Posts: 2,262
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    what's worse?

    I've seen more disasters from chemical treatment than from untreated feed. Water treatment companies always have an excuse. I recommend measuring makeup and degassing. Using hot water for makeup is inexpensive.
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