How Guardian Helped this Alberta CoGen Facility with Boiler System Design Challenges to Achieve Operational Success

At a glance

When an equipment supplier failed to assist with preoperational challenges at an Alberta CoGen facility, the facility owner turned to Guardian, their long-time chemical supplier, for help. Guardian resolved equipment challenges and ensured proper system functionality and chemical feed for boiler operation.

Key metrics

HELPED
LONG-TERM CLIENT SOLVE DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT ISSUES
ELIMINATED
PUMP AND CHEMICAL FEED ISSUES
ENSURED
PROPER CHEMICAL ADDITION FOR SYSTEM PROTECTION

Why chemical feed setup matters at boiler startup

A new boiler system depends on its chemical feed from the first day. Feed pumps have to draw reliably, injection points have to be in the right places, and the system needs a way to hold boiler water chemistry in range.

When the design is off, problems appear during commissioning. Pumps lose prime, chemical does not reach the boiler, and alkalinity cannot be controlled. With ultra-pure feedwater, alkalinity control matters even more.

At this Alberta cogeneration facility, the equipment contractor did not help resolve pump setup and system design issues. The owner turned to Guardian, its long-time chemical supplier.

Challenges

This Alberta CoGen facility faced challenges when the equipment contractor failed to provide assistance with pump equipment setup and system design issues, which were critical for proper boiler system operation. The initial pump system design caused the pumps to lose prime, and the system lacked the pump and plumbing to feed chemical to manage boiler alkalinity.

Solutions

To solve these challenges, Guardian Chemicals:

  • Redesigned the layout with elevated tote stands and stainless steel fittings to prevent loss of pump prime and ensure proper chemical draw from the bottom of the totes.
  • Setup chemical injection points for deaerator and boiler feed water to optimize system functionality and protection.
  • Supplied and setup pump and injection point to boost boiler alkalinity as needed.
  • Implemented and trained staff on our Dataguard Analytics system for ongoing monitoring, electronic records, analytics and predicable boiler treatment results.

Results

Fully Commissioned and Protected Boiler System with proper pump setup, chemical feed points, and ability to control alkalinity levels given ultra-pure water feed.
Satisfied long-term client and further strengthened relationship by solving challenges with flawed design and lack of support from their equipment supplier.

Data

Deaerator and Boiler Chemical Feed Setup

 

 

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Frequently asked questions

What design problems did the facility have?
The pump layout caused pumps to lose prime, and there was no pump or plumbing to feed chemical for boiler alkalinity control.
How was loss of prime fixed?
The layout was redesigned with elevated tote stands and stainless steel fittings so chemical draws properly from the bottom of the totes.
Where was chemical injected?
Injection points were set up at the deaerator and on boiler feedwater, plus a dedicated pump and injection point to raise boiler alkalinity as needed.
How is the system monitored now?
Through DataGuard, with staff trained on it for ongoing monitoring, electronic records and analytics.

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