Boiler water system
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Our company is going to install a boiler water system, and I would like to get some information on this topic. I’m also looking for some suggestions regarding membrane treatment. I was wondering if anyone here could offer some advice?
Boiler water is generally desalinated water obtained by adding chemicals to the boiler water. Either cation-anion exchange combined with a mixed-bed system, or RO reverse osmosis combined with a mixed-bed system will work; the specific process to be used depends on the quality of the raw water.
The boiler water these days undergoes thorough treatment, so it’s already in good condition; the initial investment was quite high
It’s the boiler make-up water treatment system, right? The treatment process varies depending on factors such as the quality of the raw water and the grade of the boiler. Currently, RO + ion exchange is the most commonly used method in China ； Those with money use RO+EDI (which can save on costs related to acids and bases, as well as on systems for treating acid and base wastewater) ； Low-pressure boilers use softened water directly ； Water with low salt content can also be treated directly using ion exchange, etc. In any case, whatever process is adopted, an economic and technical comparison should be carried out.
It depends on the size of your boiler. If it’s large, you can seek a design firm specializing in this area to create a design for it; if it’s small, purchasing a complete set of equipment will suffice
The treatment processes for boiler water are already well-established, and any larger water treatment company is capable of carrying out such tasks. The key is to provide them with information on parameters such as the volume and quality of the raw water, as well as the requirements regarding the quality of the water supplied to the boiler.
Softening or RO combined with anion and cation exchange resins is used according to different requirements
First, it is necessary to consider the quality of the raw water; next, the quality of the water produced by the boiler. Then there is the issue of water volume. Based on these factors, an optimal starting point can be determined. The typical process for boiler feed water nowadays consists of conventional pre-treatment (sand filtration + carbon filtration) + safety filter + primary RO treatment + mixed-bed filtration. These steps are sufficient to meet the requirements for water used in boilers.
Depending on the quality of your raw water, ion exchange is suitable for salinity levels below 500 mg/L, while reverse osmosis is appropriate for higher levels.
Currently, the more commonly used and technically mature processes are ion exchange and reverse osmosis; both can achieve the required treatment results. Ion exchange involves the use of anion and cation exchange resins as well as silica beds. This process generates acidic and alkaline wastewater, which is not environmentally friendly, and it also requires a large amount of water for backwashing, leading to water waste. Reverse osmosis, on the other hand, is more water-saving and environmentally friendly, so I think it’s better. I’m not sure what capacity your boilers have; if they are large and require high-quality water, it would be advisable to add a mixed-bed resin system after the reverse osmosis process