Increasing the amount of condensate recovery will generally have all of the following effects except which one?
- Reduce fuel consumption.
- Reduce makeup water consumption.
- Improve boiler feed water quality.
- Reduce water treatment chemical consumption.
- Require exotic piping materials.
And the answer is…
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Reduce fuel consumption.
This is an incorrect response.
Relatively high‐temperature condensate returned to the boiler will reduce the amount of relatively low‐temperature makeup water brought into the system. Low‐temperature makeup water must be heated (usually with steam) to condensate temperature before it is equivalent to the worth of condensate. Condensate should be returned with the highest temperature practical because the thermal energy in the condensate is typically the greatest worth of the condensate.
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Reduce makeup water consumption.
This is an incorrect response.
Condensate returned to the boiler will reduce the amount of makeup water brought into the system. Makeup water is of ten purchased or processed at some cost.
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Improve boiler feed water quality.
This is an incorrect response.
Condensate is commonly the cleanest water available to a steam system. Recovering additional condensate will reduce the supply of makeup water to the boiler. This will generally improve the quality of feed water — reducing the need for blowdown.
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Reduce water treatment chemical consumption.
This is an incorrect response.
Condensate is commonly the cleanest water available to a steam system. Recovering additional condensate will reduce the supply of makeup water to the boiler. Makeup water generally requires softening and often additional treatment. The cleaner feed water is the less boiler and water treatment chemicals are required.
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Require exotic piping materials.
This is the correct response.
Steam and condensate piping specifications do not require exotic materials or construction practices. The most common issues experienced in condensate piping related to materials of construction are metal attack from acidic condensate and oxygen pitting. These issues are typically combated through the proper piping practices and addition of distribution and recovery piping protective chemicals.
More can be learned at Campbell-Sevey’s Steam Energy Conservation Seminars. Learn more here.