Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Alkalinity Builders

Alkalinity or AT is the ability of a base to neutralize acids to the stoichiometric point of carbonate or bicarbonate. Some simply measures it through the buffering capacity of water. Determining alkalinity in value water systems is imperative because it determines a system’s ability to neutralize acidic contamination from rainfall or waste water, especially the increased occurrence of pollution.Alkalinity does not refer to pH level per se, but rather refers to the ability of water to resist pH  change.

Most common buffering compounds are bicarbonates (HCO3-) and carbonates (CO32-), although hydroxides (OH-), borates, silicates, phosphates, ammonium, sulfides, and organic ligands are also used. In the natural environment, carbonate alkalinity makes up the majority of the total alkalinity level because of the presence of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the abundance of carbonate rocks.The unit mEq/L is usually given as its standard measurement, although when dealing with water systems such as steam boilers, the unit ppm or parts-per-million is usually given.

To increase the pH level, it is important to boost the alkalinity of boiler water. In general, water pH should be greater than 10.5 to ensure that the polymer chemical can work effectively to remove impurities made by scaling. In the long run, scaling impurities decrease the heat transfer efficiency of a boiler which greatly impacts energy costs. Also, if scaling is excessive, early tube replacement may be required. In high boiler pressure systems, if the total alkalinity exceeds the 3:1 ratio, silica plating may occur. Boiler water that is too acidic may lead to excessive corrosion rates and premature tube failure.

When handling alkaline products, extreme care should be exercised. Protective gear including masks, gloves, and laboratory goggles should be worn before handling the product. Alkalinity builders can cause one of the worst types of chemical burns.

Boiler Chemical 1425

BC 1425 is a concentrated alkalinity builder in liquid form for boiler treatment. Product provides maximum alkalinity adjustment per pound. It is recommended for use in any water system requiring additional alkalinity to assure proper reaction, and will not give off any residual carbon dioxide to the steam produced. All ingredients are FDA-approved for steam boilers in contact with food.

No comments:

Post a Comment