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Condensate Line Treatment.
Introduction
In the production of steam, even high quality/purity steam, contaminants are introduced which require monitoring and treatment in order to maximize the useful life of steam use and/or steam/condensate transport equipment and piping. Further, contamination of condensate at use points is also a concern which is best handled through regular monitoring of contaminant levels.
Condensate Treatment
The predominant term for the use of pH adjusting treatments is "Condensate Treatment" which refers to the addition of chemicals to the steam (through either the boiler water or direct injection to the Steam Header) to prevent steam/ condensate line corrosion due to the acidic nature of Carbon Dioxide contaminated steam. The Carbon Dioxide is a normal by-product of the breakdown of Boiler Water Alkalinity, and occurs in most boilers to varying degrees. The Carbon Dioxide, upon dissolution in condensate forms Carbonic Acid, which can dissolve metal rapidly. In systems where oxygen in leakage also occurs, metal dissolution can occur at a rate ten times that of a system with only one or the other contaminant.
Amine Blends
Often the best treatment for an individual system is not an off-the-shelf product but a Mend of amines from the categories mentioned above. Most of these can be blended together, though this must be done carefully in view of the range of physical and chemical characteristics that are represented by this family of materials.
Ideal Control Limits
What control limits should be used is a point of debate within the field of treatment. While some adhere to the "theoretical" point at which Caibonic Acid ceases to exist in its free form (pH = 8.3, the endpoint for OH alkalinity existence), others prefer additional cushion. Obviously one would not want to approach a pH of 9, where free causticity could strip light allow metals. The author points out that in the process of optimization, a fine tuning point for any system might be the marriage of acceptable pH and corrosion levels. This optimization would involve the relationship between condensate pH and iron and/or copper levels. In some systems where steam quality is very good and Boiler Water Alkalinity low, a much lower pH, approaching conventional neutrality (pH = 7.0), could provide excellent results without excessive amine feed.