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Boiler Chemical Added to Condensate Pump

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JUGHNE
JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,061
in THE MAIN WALL
Have school with old CI steam boiler that has CI Hoffman cond pump, WC 8-20-B.
The pump seized up, there was sand in the tank.
The maint guy puts chemicals into the inlet of cond tank about twice a week.
I know Hoffman says to not do this.
How serious is this? Would it only affect the pump seal. The pump is fairly busy during heating season. 1974 boiler has no easy accessible large ports above water line.

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  • Henry
    Henry Member Posts: 998
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    There is no need for chemicals in a heating boiler! The chemical guy is my best salesman for replacement boilers.
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,061
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    The chemical guys seek out any place that may have some custodial people who are always overloaded with work......and have the lowest paying jobs in the place. There are always some chemicals available to make their live easier. ;)

    This boiler rumbles like an old coffee pot when it fires up.
    There is so much scale inside that the 3/4" ball valve drain plugs when he drains some off. A coat hanger will open this to get rid of some deposits that have broken off.
    We did get the lower 4" inlet open and with a wand washer got a lot of junk out of it.

    So is the chemical loosening this scale to be drained out or is it just the mini explosions of water boiling under the scale?? I don't know.
    But I am sure he will continue using it, after all the chemical man is a water specialist.

    So as a compromise I will encourage him to chase the chemicals with enough water to make the pump run and not allow the chemicals to sit in the pump. This would dilute the mix somewhat and the water gained would go out thru the LWCO blow downs.
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,523
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    I'm not a water expert at all, but you could put a "shot feeder" in the discharge piping between the condensate pump and the boiler.

    Shot feeder is just a little tank you can buy or make out of pipe installed in the discharge piping with a three valve bypass.
    JUGHNE
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,526
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    Chemicals should not go full force into the inlet of the pump.
    Retired and loving it.
    JUGHNEHenry
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,061
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    Thanks to all.
    As I said, I will suggest that he dilute the chemical and then chase it with enough water so it does not sit in the pump.
    I believe this will insure that both LWCO will be blown down after adding the extra water.
    The pump is 5 years old. Not sure where the sand came from.
    The under floor return piping was replaced by others. This could have picked up the sand at that time. There was no strainer before the pump until now. Though the fine sand could have passed thru the mesh that is in the strainer anyway.

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