Posted by Tony Conner on August 04, 2001 at 07:06:44:
In Reply to: how much scale can be expected ina water tube boiler using 50 percent soft water as soft water posted by dado on August 04, 2001 at 04:51:48:
: in a 350 psi water tube boiler of capacity 5 tons steam generation recieving about 50 percent condensate & using 50 percent zeolite treated soft water.when the boiler water side is inspected after one year how much scale can be expected? or boler should show not even a trace of scale? can such an ideal situation exist with the above considered conditions or it is practically impossible.
Softeners alone won't get 100% of the hardness present in the make-up water. You may also get some hardness back with the condensate from leaking heat exchangers, etc. If the softeners are looked after and operated properly, and there is an appropriate chemical treatment program in place, there should be no scale in your boiler. I've worked in 125 PSIG plants with almost 100% make-up, and the water tube boilers were routinely scale free every year when they were opened for inspection.