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Boiler treatment

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leaking
leaking Member Posts: 153
in THE MAIN WALL

I have a Weil McLain Lbg about 900,000 btu. At Weil mc lains recommendation last year I used Sentinel x 100, the amount the tech told me to use , 3/4 gallon totally messed up the system. The return glass would jump way up and down then overfill the boiler to the top! And heat was uneven. Maybe the tech was just wrong and told me too much to use . I flushed the boiler many many times to remove the x100. What do I use for an anti corrosion treatment? It’s Chicago city water. What about 8way? Or just less X100? Thank you.

Comments

  • Captain Who
    Captain Who Member Posts: 786

    "Return glass"? Is this a steam boiler? A quick search on Sentinel X100 revealed to me that it isn't for steam boilers, so you definitely don't want to use that product again if that is what you are using it in. I use 8-way very successfully in my one pipe steam system.

    clammy
  • leaking
    leaking Member Posts: 153

    wow , the tech at Weil McLain knew I have steam. I talked with him 10 x. Yes the boiler would go low as the product backed up the pipes with I guess foam , water would not return . Water fill would go on . After 5 hours boiler was full to top!! Quite a nightmare . About what do I need for a Weil mc lain Lbg steam , 975,000 btu? A cup ? A gallon ?

  • Captain Who
    Captain Who Member Posts: 786

    LGB-8?, LGB-9? LGB-10? What is the water capacity of the boiler? Rectorseal 8-way instructions tell you how much to put in based upon, IIRC, both radiation capacity of the boiler and gallons. IIRC it will be about 1.2 oz. per gallon but don't quote me on that. I'm using more like 2 oz. per gallon but I seem to have some unusual situation with lots of carbonic acid because that is producing pH 10.0 for me after a few days of operation. You will probably be best off using a smaller amount according to Rectorseal instructions.

  • leaking
    leaking Member Posts: 153

    it’s a Lbg 6/23, I do not know how much water it takes ,

    IMG_9386.jpeg
  • leaking
    leaking Member Posts: 153

    is this what I need ?

    IMG_9385.jpeg
  • Captain Who
    Captain Who Member Posts: 786

    Yes, but there is no LGB 6-23. They probably had a range of boilers they were referring to at the time: LGB 6 through LGB 23. You need to find the proper placard and take a well focused photo of that for us.

  • leaking
    leaking Member Posts: 153

    I’m not at the building today , I don’t have better photos . It’s about 975,000 Btu and maybe 30 gallon if I remember. Yes I will find out first . I ordered the 8 way from Amazon just now . Thank you

    IMG_9388.jpeg
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 8,635
    edited February 4

    There are a lot of details about this system that we don't know but here is my general advice for you to consider:

    1. Don't even consider treatment until the water is clean and the water level is steady during steam production (goes up and down 1" or less) to ensure carryover isn't occurring.
    2. The main benefit of treatment is to raise the pH level of the water. They put all kinds of things in there to free up sedimented rust, etc, so ironically, boiler treatment can increase carryover initially. If that happens you have to drain and refill and try again. Eventually the water will settle down. 8-way is my favorite too, but don't use as much as the instructions say…start small and test with pH test strips.
    3. Once your water is clean and the 8-way is in there turning your water a light pink you will find that corrosion is greatly reduced and you can very much reduce how much you flush the boiler, preserving that nice de-oxygenated boiler water to keep your boiler alive longer.

    Here's a recent video I made about the topic:

    https://youtu.be/Im1ipgVa6Yk

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • leaking
    leaking Member Posts: 153

    what should ph be after treatment?

  • Captain Who
    Captain Who Member Posts: 786
    edited February 4

    Different people have different opinions. For minimum corrosion of the cast iron, probably around 10 to 11 to 11.5 max. but if you have copper pipes exposed to boiler water I'd go a bit lower and shoot for 9.5 to 10. I do have copper header and equalizer and wet returns. I'm at 10 right now and don't want it to go higher. You may be at risk of developing foaming leading to carryover if you are up around 11.5, especially as particulates increase in the water. I think the key is to listen to your radiators and at the slightest sign of banging, check the sight glass to see if surge has increased and also time how long it takes for it to settle down to a dead stop after the boiler shuts off. That would be the time to drain some of the crud out and add some pure water and re-check the pH and adjust if necessary. I'm using preboiled distilled with good results.

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