Principles of Zeolite Softening Sodium zeolite softeners use exchange resins made of polystyrene. These resins have sodium ions loosely attached and will readily give up sodium for more desirable ions such as calcium and magnesium. This exchange is only for cations (positively charged ions). This is why sodium zeolite resin is referred to as a cation […]
Softener Application The potential for scale and deposit buildup exists in every raw water supply. The ability of the sodium zeolite softener to reduce this potential effectively and economically makes this an ideal pretreatment for boiler feedwater and many types of chemical process waters. Compared to other softening methods, sodium zeolite units offer many advantages: […]
Good water softener operation is often a key factor in efficient boiler system performance. In its simplest terms, softening is the removal of naturally occurring scale-forming ions that are present in all water irrespective of its source. Although we take it for granted, the operation of a water softener is really a remarkable phenomenon. As […]
One of the key objectives of effective cooling water management is to prevent the precipitation of scale-forming minerals onto heat transfer surfaces. Scaling potential is highest at the hottest metal surfaces, and where the transfer of heat occurs from a process into the cooling water “ across plate/frame or shell and tube exchangers. However, it […]
In an ideal world, all the waterside metal surfaces inside your steam boiler would be exactly 86°F / 30°C above the boiling point when the burner is firing. This would result in perfect boiling everywhere throughout your boiler, maximizing the operating efficiency. While this isn’t fully achievable in the real world, the manufacturer typically designs […]
What’s really interesting is that if you were to crank up the burner to 11 at Step 5 and allow the surface temperature of the bottom of the pot to continue increasing, the heat flux through the bottom of the pan absolutely falls off the cliff. That’s peculiar… despite the fact we’ve added more heat, the heat […]
Since the CMS’s publication of the memo requiring Healthcare facilities to adopt a Water Management Plan and to conduct regular Legionella testing to reduce the risk of Legionella in building water systems in June of 2017, the most common question we get from our clients is “What will the Auditors be asking for?” Well, we […]
Keep the Water Flowing. This statement represents one of those basic rules of thumb in managing any water system. Lack of flow can lead to wide-spread system problems with microbial fouling, corrosion and even fouling from sediment. Without flow and turbulence, water systems will accumulate dissolved gases, suspended sediment will separate from bulk waters, and […]
By Luke Wonnell Besides being a wicked awesome band name, the title of this article refers to some 201 level Thermodynamic principles that have a significant impact on the performance of your steam boiler. “Heat flux” defines how much heat transfer occurs through a given material’s surface area and is expressed in (Btu/hr-in2 or W/m2). Think […]
By Luke Wonnell If you’re like me then you remember learning in High School chemistry or pre-req college courses that water has 3 states: solid, liquid and gas right? Water becomes solid ice below 32⁰F, exists as a liquid between 33⁰F and 212⁰F and starts to boil off to a gas at 212⁰F. While these […]
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