62 the Analyst Volume 20 Number 4

Technical Updates, Tips, or Reviews T.U.T.O.R.

Treatment Tips: Boiler Feed Points
by James McDonald, P.E., CWT, Crown EG, Inc.
Treatment chemicals can be fed into a boiler system in
a number of locations. Some locations are better than
others, however, depending on the chemical being fed.
Te summary below lists the preferred boiler chemical
feedpoints in order of preference.
Orthophosphate
Boiler steam drum (this is the best place in case of any
hardness upsets)
Feedwater line
Deaerator storage tank
Polyphosphate
Storage tank, feedwater line, or boiler steam drum
Note: Polyphosphate should be fed to boiler steam drum
if feedwater calcium is greater than 4 mg/L.
Polymer
Storage tank (best because polymers work better at the
lower pHs)
Feedwater line (good because polymers work better at
the lower pHs)
Boiler steam drum
Sulte
Deaerator storage tank
Neutralizing Amines
Steam header (best)
Steam drum
Feedwater line
Deaerator storage tank (may lose some through venting)
Filming Amine
Steam header (lming amines
are nonvolatile)
EDTA
Feedwater line after discharge
of feedwater pump
Note: EDTA can be fed to the
suction side of the feedwater
pump if the impeller is made of
cast iron or stainless steel.
DO NOT feed it to the suction
side of a pump with a yellow
metal impeller.