Steam boiler descaling at a pharmaceutical plant
Steam boiler descaling was the challenge at PJSC SIC Borshchagiv Chemical and Pharmaceutical Plant (BHFZ) in Ukraine, where dense hard scale 1.5 to 2 mm thick coated the boiler’s screen tubes and internal surfaces. Manual blowdown was needed two to three times a day, using extra water and gas, and salt content and alkalinity had to be monitored in the laboratory. One HydroFLOW® i60 was fitted after the feed pumps on the supply line to the boiler. During the 90-day trial the established scale broke away and the screen tubes became almost scale-free, and at the 11-month inspection no scale deposits were found in the drum.
The Challenge
- Steam boiler descaling was needed for dense hard scale on the screen tubes and internal surfaces
- Existing deposits were about 1.5 to 2 mm thick
- Blowdown was needed two to three times a day
- Frequent blowdown increased water and gas use
- Salt content and alkalinity needed laboratory monitoring
The Solution
- Unit installed: one HydroFLOW® i60
- Installation point: supply line to the steam boiler, after the feed pumps
- Trial: 90 days
- Inspection: internal drum inspection after 11 months
For steam boiler descaling without opening up the boiler, the i60 treated the feed water after the pumps. Through the 90-day trial, established scale exfoliated from the screen tubes, collectors and drum, salt content and total alkalinity began falling and stabilising from the second week, and periodic blowdown was gradually brought down to a minimum.
