[labnetwork] Steam boiler question

[Morrison, Richard H., Jr]

Thanks Dan,

Just to be clear we use the steam from the boilers to generate steam for humidity control in a steam to steam humidifier, but you are right the boilers use a lot of water.

Rick


From: Maxwell, Dan [mailto:DMaxwell at hallam-ics.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2019 4:19 PM
To: Morrison, Richard H., Jr <rmorrison at draper.com>; labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu
Subject: RE: Steam boiler question

Rick:

I have run your question by our Director of Engineering.

Re-tubing boilers is common. Properly done, the boiler's life is extended, not shortened. We are fans of retubing, especially on a relatively young boiler.

How long should a boiler last?  It depends greatly.  A boiler should last 20 or more years, if water treatment is done properly (remove oxygen down to single digit part-per-billion range, soften/polish the hardness out, maintain an appropriate concentration of corrosion inhibitors).

You mentioned that this boiler supplies humidification loads, which means 100% makeup water (process and heating boilers have return condensate, their makeup rates are much lower, 10-20% makeup). 100% makeup needs excellent water treatment to prevent corrosion in the boiler (which causes the tube leak). If you can't implement good treatment, you will be back in 7 years replacing tubes. With good treatment, it can go 20 years.

One issue some facilities have with humidity-producing boilers is a desire to avoid using corrosion inhibitors as they are concerned they could be deleterious to human health when added to air. When running with no corrosion inhibitors and a carbon steel boiler, a boiler will not last long at all.

Thanks,

Dan Maxwell
Sr. Project Manager
[Hallam-ICS Employee Owned]
dmaxwell at hallam-ICS.com<mailto:dmaxwell at hallam-ics.com>
38 Eastwood Dr, Suite 200
South Burlington, VT 05403
ph. - 802.658.4891
fax. - 802.658.1457
www.Hallam-ICS.com  I  The Hallam-ICS Blog<https://www.hallam-ics.com/blog>

From: labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu<mailto:labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu> <labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu<mailto:labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu>> On Behalf Of Morrison, Richard H., Jr
Sent: Wednesday, July 3, 2019 9:38 AM
To: labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu<mailto:labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu>
Subject: [labnetwork] Steam boiler question

HI Everyone,

I have a facility question, we have 2 steam boilers which provide heat and steam to make humidity. One boiler has tubes that have leaked and we can either re-tube the boiler (7 years old) or purchase a new boiler. What is the collective wisdom out there around the risk of lifetime of a re-tubed boiler?

Thanks and Happy 4th

Rick



Richard H. Morrison
Principal Member of the Technical Staff
Draper
555 Technology Square
Cambridge, MA
02139-3573

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