Several effective methods for dealing with scale

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Currently, industrial boilers as well as small domestic boilers are widely used. However, during operation, the problem of scale buildup becomes a difficult issue for users to address. Boilers that have just been put into use develop a thick layer of scale after a short time, which not only reduces their efficiency but also hinders energy savings. Removing this scale is also very troublesome and results in a waste of time and resources. The main hazards of scaling inside a boiler are as follows: 1. After scaling occurs in the boiler, it severely affects the heat transfer performance of the heating surfaces, **reducing the boiler’s efficiency and resulting in significant waste of fuel. 2. The steel used for the heating surfaces of boilers is generally carbon steel. During operation, the metal wall temperature is allowed to be below 450°C; however, when the scale thickness reaches 2 millimeters, the metal wall temperature rises to 580°C, which far exceeds the allowable temperature for such steel. The thicker the scale, the higher the temperature of the metal wall, and thus the greater the likelihood of an accident occurring. 3. Shorten the service life of the boiler. Under normal operating conditions, a boiler can typically operate continuously for about 20 years. However, the ions of halogens present in scale have a corrosive effect on iron at high temperatures; they make the inner metal surface brittle and continue to penetrate deeper into the metal wall, causing corrosion and thus shortening the boiler’s service life. Here are several methods for dealing with scale: 1. The lime + soda ash softening method, which is suitable for various types of boilers. Currently, the reliable method for external water treatment is the lime+soda ash softening process, which involves adding an appropriate amount of quicklime and soda ash to the already clarified water to achieve softening. 2. Adding chemical reagents: This method involves adding chemicals to the boiler water, which react with the calcium and magnesium salts that cause scale formation to create loose sediments. These sediments are then removed from the boiler through waste discharge, thereby preventing (or reducing) scale formation in the boiler. 3. Install an EST electrochemical water treatment (electrodeionization) system to treat the water before it enters the boiler; the treated water will not form scale no matter how much it is heated after entering the boiler. It has the following advantages: ① Ultra-eco-friendly. It employs a high-frequency variable-frequency electrolytic method based purely on physical principles to remove scale and rust, without the need for chemical agents, thus preventing corrosion of pipes and heat exchange equipment ； ②Ultra-energy efficient. With an output power of 0.3–4.5 Kw, it can improve the overall performance of the system by 5–25% and reduce energy consumption by 5–20% ； ③Ultra-water-saving. Almost no wastewater needs to be discharged; compared to current industry water treatment methods, this saves over 90% of water usage ； ④Super intelligent. It operates 24/7 without the need for manual supervision, is easy to manage, and does not require dedicated personnel. Currently, electrochemical water treatment (electrode descaling) systems, as a new generation of environmentally friendly and energy-saving products, are gradually being adopted across various industries.