BOILER WATER OPERATOR TRAINING Notes

Split Stream Dealkalyzer

WHAT IS IT?
A dealkalyzer reduces the corrosion potential in the condensate
system by lowering the bicarbonate alkalinity of the make-up
water.

Lowering the bicarbonate alkalinity of the make-up lowers the

amount of CO2 that is formed in the boiler system. (CO2 causes
corrosion in the condensate system by lowering the pH of the
condensate.)

Steam Heat
CO2 Exchanger

Make-up
Boiler
HCO3

Condensate
CO2 Lowers pH
Causes Corrosion

©2006 Nalco Company 1 SECTION 7 – Split Stream Dealkalyzer, Book 316 (9-06)
 BOILER WATER OPERATOR TRAINING Notes

HOW DOES IT WORK?

An acid regenerated dealkalyzer functions by converting
bicarbonate (HCO3-) and carbonate (CO3=) to carbon dioxide
(CO2) and water. A degasifier later removes the CO2.

A dealkalyzer contains cation resin. When regenerated with acid,

a cation resin replaces cations with H+.

A strong acid cation resin replaces all cations with H+.

In a dealkalyzer containing strong acid cation resin, all cations

will be replaced with H+. The acid will react with all the
alkalinity in the water and form H2CO3 (H2O and CO2). Acid in
excess of the alkalinity will form FMA (Free Mineral Acidity),
HCl, H2SO4, etc. with other anions.

Incoming Water
(Ca, Mg, Na)

SAC

Acid
Unit

Exit Water
(H+, H2 CO3)

©2006 Nalco Company 2 SECTION 7 – Split Stream Dealkalyzer, Book 316 (9-06)
 BOILER WATER OPERATOR TRAINING Notes

An acid regenerated dealkalyzer functions by converting

bicarbonate (HCO3-) and carbonate (CO3=) to carbon dioxide
(CO2) and water. A degasifier later removes the CO2.

A dealkalyzer contains cation resin. When regenerated with acid,

a cation resin replaces cations with H+.

A weak acid cation resin replaces only calcium and magnesium

ions with H+, and therefore does not remove as much alkalinity.

In a dealkalyzer containing weak acid cation resin, only calcium

and magnesium ions are replaced with H+. The acid will react
with alkalinity in the water and form H2CO3 (H2O and CO2).
Only if hardness is greater than alkalinity will FMA be achieved.

Incoming Water
(Ca, Mg, Na)

WAC

Acid
Unit

Exit Water

(H+, Na+)

©2006 Nalco Company 3 SECTION 7 – Split Stream Dealkalyzer, Book 316 (9-06)
 BOILER WATER OPERATOR TRAINING Notes

After blending with softened systems, the FMA will react with
some of the alkalinity in the softened water, forming additional
CO2. After blending, the stream is degasified, removing almost
all CO2 in the stream.

Incoming Water
CO2

Acid
Unit
H2 O3 Degassifier

H+

Exit Water

Sodium
Zeolite
Unit
Na

©2006 Nalco Company 4 SECTION 7 – Split Stream Dealkalyzer, Book 316 (9-06)
 BOILER WATER OPERATOR TRAINING Notes

When the FMA in the dealkalyzer begins to fall, it is time to

regenerate the dealkalyzer. The regeneration of acid dealkalyzer
consists of four steps:
1. Backwash
2. Acid regeneration
3. Slow rinse
4. Fast rinse

1. Backwash
The flow of water is reversed, entering at the bottom of the unit
and flowing out of the top. This action removes any suspended
matter that may have accumulated during the service run.
Backwash also redistributes the resin bed to prevent channeling.
The backwash flow rate is set so that the resin bed expands a
minimum of 50%.
2. Acid Regeneration
During regeneration, a concentrated acid solution is washed over
the resin bed, restoring the dealkalyzing capacity of the resin.
This regeneration occurs as the H+ in the acid solution replaces
the cations (Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+, etc.) on the ion exchange resin.
3. Slow Rinse
4. Fast Rinse
During the rinse cycle, water is washed over the resin bed to
remove excess salt.
After reaching an acceptable FMA level, the unit is ready to be
put back into operation.

©2006 Nalco Company 5 SECTION 7 – Split Stream Dealkalyzer, Book 316 (9-06)
 BOILER WATER OPERATOR TRAINING Notes

HOW WILL IT AFFECT MY PLANT?

Proper operation will reduce the potential for CO2 induced
corrosion in the condensate system.

Corrosion in the condensate system can result in shutdown of

condensate system equipment for maintenance and repairs, or it can
result in loss of production.

Corrosion can cause leaks of stream or hot condensate resulting in

injury to personnel.

Iron which results from corrosion in the condensate system is carried

back from the condensate system to the boiler. In the boiler, the iron
deposits on boiler tubes. These deposits result in boiler inefficiencies,
cleaning costs, and can result in blown boiler tubes with costly
shutdowns for repair.

Other effects:

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©2006 Nalco Company 6 SECTION 7 – Split Stream Dealkalyzer, Book 316 (9-06)
 BOILER WATER OPERATOR TRAINING Notes

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO OPERATE IT?

1. Monitor the FMA of the dealkalyzer effluent.
A properly operating salt-regenerated dealkalyzer will produce
acid and CO2.
A strong acid cation resin will produce FMA.
A weak acid cation resin may or may not produce FMA,
dependeing upon the concentration of hardness and alkalinity in
the raw water.
2. Monitor the alkalinity reduction of the combined water stream at
the degasifier effluent.
3. Monitor run lengths.
Each dealkalyzer has a theoretical run capacity in total gallons
throughput. If the run lengths decrease, troubleshooting of the
system is required.
4. Other controls:
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©2006 Nalco Company 7 SECTION 7 – Split Stream Dealkalyzer, Book 316 (9-06)