Steam Boiler Leaks O2 pitting

RayWohlfarth

I am seeing a disturbing trend of O2 pitting inside low pressure steam boilers. One vertical fire tube boiler was only 2 1/2 years old and the customer has a water treatment program using a sulfite treatment. Another was a 9 month old horizontal water tube without treatment but used a softener. A two year old cast iron sectional without treatment had a leak just under the water line. I am not sure what the cause is. Some believe it is because of fracking and there is something in the water while others think it is chlorides in the water. I have spoken to water treatment experts and they are saying we need increase the sulfites. Are you seeing this trend?

hot_rod

RayWohlfarth said:

I am seeing a disturbing trend of O2 pitting inside low pressure steam boilers. One vertical fire tube boiler was only 2 1/2 years old and the customer has a water treatment program using a sulfite treatment. Another was a 9 month old horizontal water tube without treatment but used a softener. A two year old cast iron sectional without treatment had a leak just under the water line. I am not sure what the cause is. Some believe it is because of fracking and there is something in the water while others think it is chlorides in the water. I have spoken to water treatment experts and they are saying we need increase the sulfites. Are you seeing this trend?

We are seeing water quality issues in ALL types of boilers. Check TDS, hardness and ph at every jobsite, with fairly inexpensive meters.

More analysis would involve a sample to a specialist.

Steam boilers have a bit different water spec, find their recommendations in the installation manual.

Most all of the chemical manufacturers will test water and make a suggestion for treatment, here is an example from Rhomar.

I agree the stuff we are putting into and onto the ground, as well as new chemicals that water providers use are creating more and different issues with piping and boilers.

I think we all need to start paying more attention to what goes in the systems,as well as a good cleaning procedure before filling.

RayWohlfarth

Thanks Hot Rod Good point

ColinFarquhar

What ppm of excess SO3 are they keeping in their boilers? Are the boilers on line all the time, or are they shut down on weekends/etc? I've seen some older boilers that are infrequently used with corrosion issues due to not enough treatment (phosphate and pH too low, so the steel doesn't have a chance to get it's protective magnetite coating).