SCHOOL OF MARITIME STUDIES Form no : 08/02

Date : 15/02/2012
VELS UNIVERSITY Issue no : 02/12
THALAMBUR Rev. no : 00

OBJECTIVE AND PURPOSE OF BOILER WATER TEST

AIM:

To study about the objective and purpose of boiler water test.

PROCEDURE:
Objectives of the Boiler Water Testing

1)To monitor the condition of the boiler water.

2)To control the chemical dosing of the boiler.
3)To maintain the boiler in healthy state, around any possible seawater contamination.

Purpose of p-alkalinity test (caco3):

1.It gives the alkalinity of the sample due to Hydroxides and Carbonates.
2.It gives warning against high concentration of sodium hydroxides and subsequent damage to the boiler from caustic
embitterment

Purpose of M-Alkalinity Test

1.It gives alkalinity due to bicarbonates, includes the bicarbonates formed during the P-alkalinity test.
2.The result warns us against possible formation of carbonic acid inside the boiler as well as in the steam condensate
lines, due to high concentration of bicarbonates.

Purpose of PH test:

1. To give warning on acidity or alkalinity of boiler water sample.

2. Result help to establish the dosage of boiler compound to fight against corrosion.

Purpose of Chloride ppm CI Test

1. Gives warning against any seawater contamination of the Boiler Feed System.
2. Help to establish an effective blow down control of the boiler.

Purpose of Phosphate ppm Test (PO4)

1.It helps to maintain a phosphate reserve in the boiler to counter any possible contamination of the boiler water by
corrosive and scale forming salts. However, too much phosphate in the boiler may also contribute to foaming and
priming.

Testing Techniques
Samples taken from the boiler water feed system are cooled usually to 25 οC and tested for the following properties and impurities,
 Dissolved gasses- Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide and ammonia.
 Acidity or Alkalinity-Carbonates and bicarbonates Hydroxides content.
 Hardness – Calcium and magnesium salts content
  Undissolved solids – impurities built up in the boiler water over time.
 Chlorine content – usually originates from seawater ingress to feed water system.

 Methods of Treatment
 Dissolved gasses of oxygen, and CO2
It is one of the jobs of the deaerator to remove the dissolved gasses in the returning condensate. So if there are consistently high quantities of
dissolved gasses in the system it is best to check that the DA is operating correctly.

If however the gasses continue to form, the best method of reducing them is by using a blowdown valve. Some Chief Engineers prefer to leave
the boiler on constant blowdown, and I have used this method myself with the provisos,

1. The DA is operating satisfactory

2. The amount of make-up feed is monitored

3. Tests for O2 and CO2 are carried out every watch

4. The steam from the blowdown valve can be used in a feedwater heater.

 Alkalinity
Acid and alkalinity are used to describe properties of fluids, their levels being measured in units of pH from 0 to 14, a pH of 7 being neutral.

Feed water in ships boilers are best maintained at an alkalinity around 8.5pH, as we go below this figure, the acidic water will cause corrosion of
the watertubes and internals whereas a reading above will cause excessive coating of scale on these components.

Sodium Phosphate of Soda (NaPo4) can be used to adjust the alkalinity of boiler water.

 Hardness
This is caused by high calcium and magnesium content in the feedwater system. Hardness will cause scaling on the watertubes and internal
fittings. It can be controlled by using carbonates, phosphates and certain types of polymers. Carbonates should be used sparingly as they can
promote the formation of CO2 with the attendant risk of corrosion.
 Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Dissolved solids build up gradually being left behind in the boiler water as impurities.

Strict control of the TDS is imperative as a build-up can cause carry-over of water from the steam drum. This is not only detrimental to the
turbines but the sensitive auxiliary equipment and instrumentation and should be avoided at all costs.

 Chlorine Content
This falls into the TDS category but it is worthwhile having a closer look is causes and reduction. A rapid rise in salt PPM indicates a leak of
seawater into the feed system, usually from the condenser or process coolers.

Control is achieved again by using the constant blowdown valve and regular topping up of the feed system with make-up feed water.

 Testing Procedures
 Testing for Dissolved Oxygen
Indigo Carmine Method

This testing equipment comes in the form of a kit containing all the necessary components to test for dissolved oxygen content.

A phial is provided containing the correct amount of carmine and measured sample of boiler water is added to this, which changes the colour of
the mixture. This colour is compared to a colour strip and the corresponding dissolved oxygen content read off.

 Testing for Alkalinity

Years ago we used litmus papers of different pH ranges which were dipped into a filtered solution of feed water. The resultant colour change in
the paper, determined whether the sample was acid or alkaline. Not a very accurate method but gave a quick ball-park indication of the condition
of the feedwater. Litmus strips are still used but give a more accurate result.

Alkalinity tests are also carried out using an electronic instrument, which consists of a glass probe attached to a meter. The instrument should be
calibrated before every test using buffer liquids of known pH.

It operates by immersing the bulbous tip of the glass probe into the feedwater sample, the probe sending a minute voltage through the solution
which is measured and displayed on the meter as pH.

Test for Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

There are several methods to determine the TDS of boiler feedwater, we shall examine one of the more modern methods using a TDS meter.
This instrument works on the principle that dissolved minerals and salts affect the conductivity of a liquid such as boiler feedwater. The
instrument measures the waters conductivity and converts the reading to PPM.
A. p-Alkalinity - Recommended Limits: 150-300 ppm as CaCO3
B. Chlorides - 200 ppm maximum as Cl-.
C. Condensate pH 8.5-9.2
D. Hotwell temperature > 80°C

RESULT:

Thus the objective and purpose of boiler water test.