Peter Turek Sr., CxA, EMP, CBRE Heery, presents an article “Boiler Room Confessions: School Is in Session” with Engineered Systems discussing the importance of proper water treatment for steam boilers.
This article provides several examples of how improper water treatment can lead to boiler problems, discusses the importance of installing the correct type of water treatment equipment for a particular boiler, and references the key professionals involved in successful installation and operation of boiler room equipment.
Proper boiler operation involves many professions, including the facility operator, design engineer (DE), manufacturer’s representative (MR), installing mechanical contractor (MC), controls contractor (CC), and commissioning authority provider. Issues one can experience may include the selection of improper equipment and installation, whether it’s mechanical or controls, improper maintenance, or total lack of maintenance. The technology is always evolving, so whether an engineer has any of the aforementioned specialties, he or she needs to continue learning and be open to training. What may have worked at a school in North Dakota could be excessive and not necessary for a school in Texas.
On Friday, May 5th, Turek alongside Phil Davis, HOH Water Technology and Dan Watkins, Bornquist, Inc. presented “Boilers – Why Commissioning is Crucial for Proper Operation and Training” at the CxEnergy 2023 Conference and Expo.
Conference attendees gained insight on how to identify differences between steam and hot water boilers, review boiler specifications, identify potential omissions, and new technologies like adding hydrogen to natural gas.
Turek, with 20 years of experience in the building commissioning industry, is a strong advocate for the use of commissioning to improve the energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and operational reliability of buildings. In this article, Turek argues that without proper water treatment, boilers can become damaged and even fail.
Without proper water treatment, steam boilers can become damaged and even fail. Scale buildup can reduce heat transfer efficiency, corrosion can cause metal fatigue and eventual failure, and pitting can create stress risers that lead to cracks.
