Steam softening

In order to increase the solubiUty parameter of CPD-based resins, vinyl aromatic compounds, as well as other polar monomers, have been copolymerized with CPD. Indene and styrene are two common aromatic streams used to modify cyclodiene-based resins. They may be used as pure monomers or contained in aromatic steam cracked petroleum fractions. Addition of indene at the expense of DCPD in a thermal polymerization has been found to lower the yield and softening point of the resin (55). CompatibiUty of a resin with ethylene—vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers, which are used in hot melt adhesive appHcations, may be improved by the copolymerization of aromatic monomers with CPD. As with other thermally polymerized CPD-based resins, aromatic modified thermal resins may be hydrogenated. 

Sodium alumiaate is used ia the treatment of iadustrial and municipal water suppHes and the use of sodium alumiaate is approved ia the clarification of drinking water. The FDA approves the use of sodium alumiaate ia steam generation systems where the steam contacts food. One early use of sodium alumiaate was ia lime softening processes, where it iacreases the precipitation of ions contributing to hardness and improves suspended soHds removal from the treated water (17). Sodium alumiaate reacts with siHca to leave very low residual concentrations of siHca ia hot process water softeners. Sodium alumiaate is often used with other chemicals such as alum, ferric salts, clays, and polyelectrolytes, as a coagulant aid (18,19). 

Makeup. Makeup treatment depends extensively on the source water. Some steam systems use municipal water as a source. These systems may require dechlorination followed by reverse osmosis (qv) and ion exchange. Other systems use weUwater. In hard water areas, these systems include softening before further purification. Surface waters may require removal of suspended soHds by sedimentation (qv), coagulation, flocculation, and filtration. Calcium may be reduced by precipitation softening or lime softening. Organic contaminants can be removed by absorption on activated carbon. Details of makeup water treatment may be found in many handbooks (22—24) as well as in technical Hterature from water treatment chemical suppHers. 

The quahty of feed water required depends on boiler operating pressure, design, heat transfer rates, and steam use. Most boiler systems have sodium zeohte softened or demineralized makeup water. Feed-water hardness usually ranges from 0.01 to 2.0 ppm, but even water of this purity does not provide deposit-free operation. Therefore, good internal boiler water treatment programs are necessary. 

Temperature is the most important variable and preheating is generally necessary to 200—230°C. After air has been introduced, there is a gradual temperature rise because of the exothermic reaction, until some means is appHed to hold the temperature such as a water or steam spray on the asphalt surface to maintain a temperature of approximately 260°C. The end point can be predicted by periodic testing of the softening point. 

Aikaiinity Bicarbonate (HCOs" ), carbonate (COs , and hydroxyl (OH ), expressed as CaCOs Foaming and carryover of solids with steam embrittlement of boiler steel bicarbonate and carbonate produce CO2 in steam, a source of corrosion Lime and lime-soda softening, acid treatment, hydrogen zeolite softening, demineralization, dealkalization by anion exchange, distillation, degasifying... 

The sheets may be formed to some extent by first softening in hot water or steam and then pressing in moulds at pressures of 200-500 Ibf/in (1.5-3.5 MPa). Machining, using high-speed tools, may be carried out on conventional metal-working machinery. 

The tube bundle was being withdrawn from a horizontal shell and tube heat exchanger. It was pulled out a few inches and then became stuck. The mechanics decided that the cause was sludge, and to soften it they reconnected the steam supply to the shell. The tube bundle was blown out with some force, causing serious injuries [9]. 

The first tank was cleaned without incident. By the time the contractors started on the second tank, a new foreman was in charge. To soften the deposits, he disconnected the steam coil, blew live steam into the tank, and then sprayed kerosene onto the walls, section by section, using a spinner mounted on a tripod. The report does not make it clear whether or not the kerosene was heated. While men were moving the tripod, a fire started in the tank, followed by an explosion. Three men were icilled. one by the fire and tw o by falling bits of the external concrete cladding. 

When the steam is condensed, any CO2 released in the boiler re-dissolves in the condensate, making it slightly acidic and corrosive. Normally, boiler feedwater is softened and the boiler water pH is raised by addition of... 

NOTE Almost all types of commercial or industrial boilers, of whatever type, size, and application, must be provided with fully softened FW as an absolute minimum form of external water treatment. This requirement includes electrical resistance boilers. Probable exceptions to this rule are HW heating boilers and steam boilers operating at below 15 psig and receiving in excess of 95% returned condensate. 

The position is slightly different for LP steam-heating boilers, and a softener normally is not required if requirements for MU water do not exceed a minimum level of 5% or if heat-flux densities are low. 

Increased demand for softened MU, perhaps caused by an increase in plant capacity without increasing softener capacity installed, or the use of additional steam for processing so that the return of condensate is diminished. Here a larger plant is required. If the existing plant is not too old, a second identical unit usually is installed and the equipment is operated as duty/standby, with water-meter countdown crossover and immediate regeneration of the out-of-service unit. 

Therefore, to minimize the certainty of waterside carbonate deposition, essentially all types of steam generating boilers should be provided with a water softener or some other equally effective form of pretreatment equipment. 

In practice, however, it is often the case that for small LP steam heating boiler systems with a very high percentage of CR, and in those regions of countries where soft water is supplied, no water softener is provided or deemed necessary. Instead there is merely a reliance on internal chemical treatments (or sometimes magnetic devices or other types of gadget ). A good rule of thumb is ... 

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