The quality of boiler feed water is key to reliable and efficient boiler operation and may affect how efficiently the boiler can reach and maintain the required steam pressure. Low quality water that contains impurities and gases will deliver lower heat transfer, cause overheating, boiler damage, boiler leaks and costly cleaning.
As water is heated to steam and circulated throughout the system, it must be resupplied from returning condensate, or fresh water must be added to maintain the required steam pressure. Boiler feedwater is a conditioned water which is fed into the boiler to generate steam and water. The feedwater must be free of chemicals and sediment.
Direct Steam Injection heating of the boiler feedwater can improve the thermodynamic efficiency of an Industrial Steam Boiler system. Pre-heating boiler feedwater can reduce operating costs, and helps to avoid thermal shock to the boiler metal. Low feedwater temperatures can reduce boiler operating efficiency by as much as 3-4%. The ProSonix heater’s self-cleaning design and precise temperature control will deliver an efficient and reliable heating process. Direct steam injection heating delivers significant energy savings by recycling waste steam and utilizing 100% latent and sensible energy in the steam. Steam injection heating does not require a condensate return system because all heating is accomplished within the piping.
Steam injection heating is used throughout the boiler operating cycle to heat water before it enters the boiler.
Deaerators – An inline steam injection heater is used to heat feed water before it enters the deaerator. By supplying heated feed water, the release of oxygen is easier to attain and without the use of so many chemicals. Raising the temps on returning boiler feedwater will allow for the oxygen to be more efficiently released in the deaerator than at lower temps. Deaerators need to meet a sufficient temperature to be capable of removing all the non-condensable gasses from the water before it enters the boiler. If the gasses are not sufficiently removed, they can cause pitting and corrosion in the boiler. With the PSX Direct Steam Injection Heater system, the deaerator will be able to easily reach the needed temperatures to remove all unwanted gasses.
Feedwater Tank – A ProSonix Tank Jet Sparger can be installed on the boiler feed water tank or an inline I Series Steam inline steam Injection Heater can be used to heat boiler feed water that is sent to the boiler feed water tank or reverse osmosis system tank.
Boiler – A Steam injection heater can be installed in the piping and heat water before it enters the boiler.
Once the water is sent to the boiler, it is clear of all particles and gases ensuring an efficient and repeatable boiler cycle time after time.
Important PSX Heater Benefits for Feed Water Heating:
- Liquid flow turndown of up to 8:1 to match your boiler feed water operating range.
- Precise Temperature Control (typically +/- 1 °F ) allows for a more reliable heating process
- Quiet vibration free operation.
- Low Pressure Drop across the PSX Heater (typically 1-2 psig) reduce pump integration issues and flow disruptions
- Can be used to heat condensate, reverse osmosis water, and DI water flow streams.
Contact ProSonix to learn more about steam injection heating of boiler feedwater and the solutions that we can provide.