Steam boilers are still a very common sight in various industries. They are efficient and able to provide large volumes of steam for heating and various other applications. However, you need to keep safety in mind. Like all pressure vessels, there are risks of failures and even explosions. Things like venting are vital. You may also need to ensure you have equipment like a blow down silencer to address the noise.
Major issues
The problem with steam boilers is they suffer from deposits of contaminants, particularly impurities and dissolved solids. They are naturally left behind when water becomes steam. So, over time you tend to get sludge at the bottom of the boiler.
If you don’t address the sludge building up in a boiler, you run the risk of serious problems. Crucially, it can lead to corrosion. The impurities can be highly corrosive, so you could find a situation where they are physically eating through the bottom of the vessel. If you don’t take action, it will dramatically lower the boiler’s lifespan. It results in much higher costs for maintenance and repairs too. Plus, it can cause safety problems if hot steam or water escapes the vessel.
The sludge at the bottom of a steam boiler also has a massive impact on efficiency and performance. Crucially, it reduces heat transfer. This means you need to consume more fuel or energy to develop steam. The impurities can cause scaling too, potentially impeding the function of the boiler. This can result in obstructions and breakdowns.
Using a valve
One of the easiest ways to address the problem is to use a blow down valve. They can fully open to release all the sludge at the bottom of the boiler. However, you may also need a blow down silencer in case the release emits a harmful level of noise. It can be vital for maintaining safety, reducing the risk of anyone nearby suffering hearing damage.
The important thing is to choose the right kind of valve. Conventional ones require manual opening, so they are generally only suitable for small systems. Quick opening valves are better for larger systems because they can open automatically when the conditions are right. Finally, modulating valves are the best choice if you want continuous monitoring to ensure more effective control.
Once you choose a suitable valve, you need to ensure you use it properly. This will largely depend on your operating conditions. However, as a rule it is generally best practice to do blow down every 8-12 hours. This will prevent impurities and other deposits from building up, reducing the chance of issues occurring.
Finally, you also need to think carefully about what to do with all of the sludge and water that comes out of the boiler. It could potentially cause serious harm to the environment. So, if you want to maximise safety, it is important to collect and dispose of it properly. Ensure you prevent pollutants like heavy metals from getting into waterways.
Talk to us if you want a blow down silencer
Ventx is the perfect company to work with if you want to maximise safety. We can provide exceptional solutions for different noise problems. This includes boiler blow down and blow off. Our wealth of acoustic and engineering knowledge means we can help with all kinds of situations, including large manufacturing facilities and small, specialist labs.
So, get in touch today if you need some help. We can design a blow down silencer or other solutions to give you the best of all worlds; they will reduce noise while also allowing you to maintain safe, effective operations.
