Boiler Water PH Test

Starter
1 Answer the questions.
1. Where can you see the abbreviation pH?
The abbreviation pH can be seen in various contexts, including in scientific, environmental,
and health-related measurements.
2. What does it mean?
pH stands for "potential of hydrogen" and represents the acidity or alkalinity of a
substance, measured on a scale from 0 to 14.
3. What is normal pH for humans?
The normal pH for humans is around 7.4

Vocabulary
2 Label the pictures

Scoop Condensate Submerge

Rinse
Submerge
Condensate
Dissolve
Scoop

Dissolve Rinse

3 Match the words with the definitions

1 To go below or make something go below the surface of the sea or a A Dissolve

river or lake
2 The conversion of a vapour or gas to a liquid. B Scoop
3 Wash (something) with clean water to remove soap, detergent, dirt, C Condensate
or impurities.
4 Become incorporated into a liquid so as to form a solution. D Rinse
5 A utensil resembling a spoon, with a short handle and a deep bowl, E Submerge
used for removing dry or semi-solid substances from a container.

1 E 2 C 3 D 4 A 5 B

Reading
4 Answer the questions
1. What is alkali?
Alkali is a substance that has a pH greater than 7, making it basic or alkaline.
2. What is acid?
Acid is a substance that has a pH less than 7, making it acidic.
3. What can alkali do with acidic liquids?
Alkali can neutralize acidic liquids, forming water and salts through a chemical reaction
known as neutralization.
5 Read the text and highlight the reasons why PH tests are conducted.

A PH test indicates how alkaline or acidic your boiler water is. Ideally, the water should be
maintained between 9.5-11.5 PH inside the boiler (alkaline environment).
Engineers perform this test to prevent acidic corrosion from the water (low PH) as well as scale
formation (high PH). Aside from that, some of the chemicals you need to use for water
treatments require an alkaline environment to adjust the water’s levels properly.
To perform this test, perform the following steps.
 Rinse and fill the plastic 50ml beaker with sample water
 After that is done, add 600mg of PH reagent (one scoop) to the water sample
 Mix the reagent in the sample water to completely dissolve it.
 Next, take a PH indicator strip, dip it into the sample, and leave it submerged for one
minute
 Finally, compare with the colors shown on the box to determine the PH level visually.

Based on the results of the test, you can choose to alter the water’s PH levels in two points using
these chemicals:
 Condensate control for feed water in the hotwell to ensure at least a PH level from 8.5
to 9.5 PH
 Alkalinity control for inside the boiler to provide 9.5-11.5 PH, which is required for
corrosion control

6 Explain the numbers.

600 This refers to the amount (600mg) of pH reagent (one scoop) added to the water
sample during the pH test.
9.5-11.5 It means the desired alkaline environment to prevent acidic corrosion and ensure
effective corrosion control
8.5-9.5 pH range mentioned in the context of condensate control for feed water in the hotwell.
5.5________________________________________________________________________
7 Answer the questions.
1. As the pH of the boiler water approaches zero, the water becomes increasingly
A soft
B alkaline
C neutral
D acidic
2. When a boiler water test indicates a pH value of 6, you should
A check the DC heater for possible malfunction
B begin a continuous boiler blowdown
C chemically treat to lower the pH to normal level
D chemically treat to raise the pH to normal level
3. If an operating auxiliary boiler has a water pH reading of 7, you should
A bottom blow the boiler
B treat the water with caustic soda
C treat the water with chemical scavengers
D reduce the water alkalinity to recommended readings

8 Complete the table. In pairs, guess where the truth and a lie are.

Truth Truth Truth

Truth Truth Truth

Lie Lie Lie

9 Answer the questions.

1. What is the perfect condition of boiler water in terms of PH balance?
The ideal condition for boiler water is an alkaline pH balance within the range of 9.5-11.5.
2. How to achieve this perfect condition?
Achieve the ideal pH balance by using chemicals like condensate control for feed water and
alkalinity control inside the boiler.
3. Why is PH test performed?
The pH test is performed to monitor and maintain the alkaline or acidic balance of boiler
water, preventing corrosion and scale formation.
4. How to perform PH test?
Rinse a 50ml beaker, add 600mg of PH reagent to a water sample, dissolve it, dip a PH
indicator strip, and compare colors to determine the pH visually.
5. Where is condensate control conducted?
Conducted for feed water in the hotwell to ensure a pH level from 8.5 to 9.5.
6. Where is alkalinity control conducted?
Conducted inside the boiler to maintain a pH range of 9.5-11.5 for effective corrosion
control.
7. What is the color of sample for high alkalinity? For high acidity?
High alkalinity may show a specific color on the test kit, while high acidity may exhibit a
different color, allowing visual determination of pH levels.
Speaking
10 You are the third engineer. Instruct a new cadet on purpose and procedure on PH test.