Alkalinity
Bacteria Count
Bromine
Chlorine
Phosphate
Hardness
Phosphonate
Iron
Nitrite
Alkalinity
Conductivity
DEHA
Film. Amine
Molybdate
ORP
Oxygen (DO)
Glycol
pH
Sulfite
Chemical Function
Water Testing
Carbonic Acid Control
Fe Corrosion Detection
Freeze Control
Oxygen Corrosion
Scale Prevention
Bacteria/Algea Control
Caustic Attack
Carryover Control
Metal Passivation
System vs Water Test
Function vs Water Test
Cooling Tower
Closed
Loop
Hot Water
Cold
Steam
Boiler
Condensate
For easier usage: please see desktop version.
Water Testing
Chemical Corrections &
Cooling Tower
Hot Water
Cold
Closed
Loop
Condensate
Steam
Boiler
Function
Alkalinity Testing
Alkalinity is the capacity of water to neutralize an acid.
Videos:
P = Phenolphthalien & changes color @ pH 8.3
T = Total & uses an indicator that changes color @ pH 4.5
High total (T) alkalinity results in a higher chance of foaming and carryover
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Hydrate alkalinity (OH ) = 2P - T
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IF results ≤ 0, then hydrate alkalinity = 0
Low hydrate alkalinity (OH ) results in inability to chelate ("grab") Ca and Mg which may lead to scale formation
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+2
+2
Soft, phosphate based sludge falls to bottom of boiler and is removed via blowdowns.
Water Testing -
Alkalinity -
Alkalinity vs. pH
6:17
Water Testing -
Alkalinity - Test Kit - P/T
4:04
Bromine Testing
Bromine, along with other halogens (such as chlorine and iodine), make excellent biocides by "biting" holes in exterior bacterial cell walls. Bromine can then enter to disrupt and kill the organism.
Videos:
Test Kit
'Free' Bromine refers to unreacted, available bromine.
Note: Some test kits simply measure halogen concentration. That is, the kit may say that it is measuring chlorine, but it also is measuring bromine in addition to any chlorine present. Normally this is not an issue as that only one biocide is used at a time. Please see your kit's manufacturer for further instructions.
Water Testing -
Bromine -
Titration Test Kit
2:09
Water Testing -
Bromine -
In Water Treatment
1:13
Chlorine Testing
Chlorine, along with other halogens (such as bromine and iodine), make excellent biocides by "biting" holes in exterior bacterial cell walls. Chlorine can then enter to disrupt and kill the organism.
Videos:
'Free' Chlorine refers to unreacted, available chlorine.
Water Testing -
Chlorine -
In Water Works
4:26
Water Testing -
Chlorine -
Free and Total Titration
5:08
Water Testing -
Chlorine -
Test Strips: Free and Total
2:12
This video can also apply to Cooling Towers.
Water Testing -
Chlorine -
Free vs. Total Chlorine
3:38
This video can also apply to Cooling Towers.
Water Testing -
Chlorine -
Automatic Digital Reader
2:02
Conductivity Testing
Conductivity of water is simply determined by how much electricity can flow through water and only depends on how many conductive ions are in it.
Example: NaCl (table salt) in water is very conductive (Na is a metal). When water is saturated with NaCl, the conductivity reading is very high and the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) is very high.
On the other hand, Sugar (C H O ) has very low conductance (there are no metal ions in sugar) When water is saturated with sugar and can hold no more sugar, the conductivity is low.... HOWEVER, the TDS is very high.
22
12
11
CONCLUSION: Conductivity meters DO NOT measure TDS!
If the meter indicates it measures TDS, it is simply converting the EC (electrical conductivity) to TDS by using a generic conversion factor. These conversion factors depend on the general substance that is typically found in the type of water being measured. The conversion factor of tap water would be completely different as compared to the conversion factor of boiler water!
THEREFORE, it is best NOT to report numbers as ppm when using conductivity meters, instead, report the readings as: microSiemens = μS
Videos
Water treatment chemicals may contain OH ions which can effect conductivity. For more consistent readings, it is best practice to neutralize your sample with acid before measuring conductivity.
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Water Testing -
Conductivity -
Inductive vs. Conductive
5:29
Water Testing -
Conductivity -
Neutralized Conductivity
1:02
Water Testing -
Conductivity -
TDS vs PPM vs EC
4:15
DEHA Testing
DEHA (Diethylhydroxylamine) removes dissolved oxygen and also provides metal passivation. It is considered a volatile organic and boils along with boiler water. DEHA also has metal passivation properties. So, as it travels with the steam and condensate, it protects the entire system. In addition to its metal passivating and oxygen scavenging properties, DEHA breaks down in the condensate to form neutralizing amines. These amines help neutralize carbonic acid in condensate. DEHA is organic and does not add solids to boiler water, this makes it good for use in high pressure boiler applications where TDS requirements are very strict.
DEHA
Oxygen
Acetic Acid further breaks down into neutralizing amines in the condensate
Videos
Water Testing -
DEHA -
Test Kit #1
2:09
Water Testing -
DEHA -
Test Kit #2
4:08
Glycol
1) Propylene glycol has a very low toxicity, which is why it is also found in cosmetics and personal care products, whereas ethylene glycol is poisonous and must be handled with caution to restrict any human or animal exposure.
2) Notice the curve to the left, Ethylene Glycol's freeze curve goes back up @ > 70% concentration with water.
3) Below 20% concentration, both glycols have a tendency to grow bacteria.
Videos
Water Testing -
Glycol -
Refractometer
2:47
Water Testing -
Glycol -
Freezing Ethylene Glycol
10:50
Water Testing -
Glycol -
Drinking Ethylene Glycol
3:00
Water Testing -
Glycol -
PG vs. VG in Vaping
3:22
Hardness
Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) are the main elements that form hardness (primarily Ca). Hardness is the main source of boiler scale. Ion exchangers (softeners), De-Ionizers (DI water) and Reverse Osmosis units (RO) reduce hardness. Residual hardness is then chemically removed with chelates (Phosphates and Molybdates).
If hardness is present in condensate, it is a sure possibility of a leaking heat exchanger.
Δ = Heat and (aq) = aqueous (dissolved in water) and (s) = solid
Scale
Videos
'Total Hardness' or 'General Hardness' (GH) includes both Ca and Mg, while 'Carbonate Hardness' (KH) only includes Ca.
Water Testing -
Hardness - Titration
3:22
1 grain = 17.1 ppm
'Grains' comes from medieval measuring standards. Generally refers to the volume of 1 grain of wheat or barley per a 1 gallon sized container.
Water Testing -
Hardness -
Test Strips
1:08
Not as accurate as titrations. Good for general, quick results.
Water Testing -
Conductivity -
Conductivity vs Temperature
4:50
Filming Amines
Filming amines (aliphatic amines) are fed continuously into boiler feedwater to protect metal surfaces from corrosion caused by dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide (mainly in condensate). The "head" of the molecule attaches to metal surfaces while the "tail" is hydrophobic and repels potentially corrosive water.
Video
Hydrophobic "tail" repels water
Metal Surface
Water Testing -
Filming Amines
1:32
Water Testing -
Bacteria Count
1:32