Basic Water Treatment of Steam Boilers

In order to fully understand what a given boiler needs for treatment, a basic study of its supply water must be done first. Three types of impurities exist in all supplies and can cause a wide range of problems in boilers and kilns. These impurities are suspended solids, dissolved solids, and dissolved gasses. Water picks up the impurities from the ground it contacts and the air through which it falls. The type of impurity depends on contact time, and stream velocity. The amount of rainfall and where the rain occurs on the watershed can and does result in changes in the character of the water throughout the year. Water supplies typically come from one of two sources, ground water or surface water. Generally, ground water contains more dissolved solids and less suspended solids and dissolved gases. Generally, surface water contains more suspended solids and dissolved gases and less dissolved solids.