Troubleshooting Guide: Deaerators

Technical Bulletin 1-011

Boiler Systems
Updated 10/17/11

Introduction
Monitoring deaerator performance can uncover problems resulting in inefficient dissolved oxygen removal, higher
treatment cost, and/or oxygen pitting corrosion. Poor deaeration is usually the result of mechanical malfunction or
flow control problems.
Problem

Possible Causes and Corrective Action

Inadequate venting. Check steam plume from deaerator. General rule: plume should
be 18-24 inches of height without wind flow. Improper operation of manual and/or
automatic vents. Manually increase the vent valve(s) to get adequate plume.
Insufficient inlet steam pressure. Check inlet steam pressure reducing valve for
proper operation. Ensure that control line is connected to the deaerator and not to
the piping downstream of the valve. Increase steam pressure.

Mechanical failure of or damage to internals, such as spray nozzles or trays.

Excessive dissolved oxygen Collapsed trays could result from interrupted steam supply or sudden use of cold
or carbon dioxide levels in
water causing a vacuum. Clogged spray trays/nozzles. Repair ASAP.
deaerator effluent
Check chemical feed system for proper operation and feedpoint. Oxygen scavenger
injection point should be to the storage section below the water level. Continuous
feed of scavenger is preferred.
Check water and steam flow rates versus deaerator design. Trays and inlet steam
valves are designed for specific flow ranges. Install correctly sized equipment.
Excessive free air inleakage due to leaking stuffing boxes on pumps upstream of the
deaerator, especially if suction head.
Inadequate venting (see above).
Inadequate supply pressure for the distribution and atomization of incoming waters.
High oxygen scavenger
consumption

Condensate temperature may be too high. Water entering deaerator usually must
be cooled if temperature is within 18-20F of steam saturation temperature.
Check operating pressure and temperature against design. Adjust as needed (see
above).
Check spray nozzles and trays (see above).
Excessive free air inleakage.

High deaerator temperature

and/or pressure

Steam regulating valve not functioning properly.

Steam traps blowing live steam.
Improper spray from spray nozzles. Check nozzles for clogging and deposits on
seats. Check for broken or malfunctioning tension springs.

Low deaerator temperature

compared to pressure or
low deaerator pressure

Excessive free air inleakage.

Malfunctioning steam regulating valve.
Excessive load demand from boiler(s). Compare against deaerator design.
No or greatly reduced condensate flow to deaerator.
Overflowing deaerator.

2011 Chem-Aqua, Inc.

Problem

Possible Causes and Corrective Action

Insufficient steam supply.
Poor control of steam supply.

Fluctuating operating
pressure

Batch addition of condensate and/or makeup water.

Maintain storage section water level within tighter range. Check
adjustment on boiler feedwater and makeup level controls.
Pressure reducing station chattering due to being oversized.

High or low water level or

overflowing deaerator

Malfunctioning water level control valve.

Solenoid valve leaking if present.
Leaking heat exchanger.
Pressure reducing station chattering due to being oversized.

Vent plume inconsistent

Pressure reducing station sensor either improperly installed or faulty,

causing large lag in response times.
Cold water makeup addition control too broad.

Vent plume contains

entrained water
Pressure relief valve
blowing
Vibration

Inleakage of water from the vent condenser.

Cracked internal vent condenser or cracked condenser shroud.
Blown spray nozzles or spray distribution system.
Over pressurized due to excessive supply of exhaust or flash steam.
Inadequate water supply pressure to spray nozzles for the operating
pressure.
Chattering of makeup and condensate control valves.
High pressure drops across makeup and condensate control.

Storage tank water

bouncing or hammer from
flashing

Loss of steam supply.

Poor control or improper sizing of pressure reducing station.
Over-pressurization of deaerator for the design.
Condensate return line undersized for carrying both condensate and flash
steam. Resize the line.

Hammer and/or vibration

from water/condensate lines Insufficient back pressure.

Failed check valve at point of discharge to the vessel.

2011 Chem-Aqua, Inc.