Posted by Vern on June 14, 2001 at 15:39:16:
In Reply to: what causes may be causes of low ph value of condensate return posted by rajo on June 14, 2001 at 09:38:27:
: what are causes of low ph of condensate, while the ph value of drum water is about 11.5 or above.
Low pH in condensate is a normal circumstance. It is caused by carbon dioxide which leaves the boiler
with the steam. When the steam condenses, so does the CO2. Carbon dioxide plus water yields carbonic acid
which lowers the ph of your condensate. To combat this, amines are added to either the boiler or the steam line
to elevate pH. Boiler water using softened feedwater will typically be in the 11-12 ph range, without
chemical addition to elevate pH, unless the incoming water is very low in alkalinity.