Water treatment

The performance and lifespan of electric steam generators heavily depend on the quality of water used. But why is this important, and how can companies ensure their water meets necessary standards? Below, we'll explore the significance of water quality for steam generators and explain how water treatment systems contribute to optimizing their performance.

Why water quality matters

Scale deposits: Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium ions, which tend to precipitate as scale. This reduces efficiency, increases energy consumption, and can cause blockages and mechanical damage to steam generators.

Corrosion: Contaminated water can accelerate corrosion processes. Chlorides, sulfates, and other chemicals can corrode metal components of steam generators, reducing their lifespan.

Water hardness classification in Germany

According to German law, water hardness is classified into three degrees using the unit °dH (German hardness):

• Soft Water (0 - 8.4 °dH): Contains low levels of calcium and magnesium ions, minimal tendency for scale formation, suitable for regular use in electric steam generators up to approximately 3.0 °dH.
• Moderately Hard Water (8.4 - 14 °dH): Contains moderate amounts of calcium and magnesium ions, acceptable for many applications but prone to scale formation, not suitable for prolonged use in electric steam generators.
• Hard Water (over 14 °dH): Contains high levels of calcium and magnesium ions, significant tendency for scale formation, requires water treatment to reduce maintenance and enhance efficiency.

Depending on the intensity of use, we recommend installing a water softening system starting from moderately hard water.

Water treatment: Key to optimal water quality

To avoid these issues and ensure the longevity and efficiency of steam generators, targeted water treatment is essential. This is where water softening and reverse osmosis systems come into play.

Water softening systems

Ion exchange: Water softeners reduce water hardness by exchanging calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions through resin-filled tanks. The resin is regularly regenerated to maintain effectiveness.

Benefits: Effective scale prevention enhances steam generator efficiency and reduces maintenance needs.

Reverse osmosis systems

Process: Reverse osmosis systems push water through a semi-permeable membrane that removes up to 99% of dissolved solids, including salts, minerals, and other impurities, producing nearly pure water.

Benefits: Provides extremely pure water, prevents scale formation, and minimizes corrosion risks, ideal for continuous industrial operations and processes requiring high water purity.

Differences between water softeners and reverse osmosis systems

Water softeners: Primarily reduce water hardness through ion exchange, cost-effective, and easy to operate, but do not remove all contaminants.

Reverse osmosis systems: Remove a broad spectrum of impurities, deliver high-quality water when combined with softeners, more complex, require more maintenance and energy, but offer superior water purity.

Conclusion

Water quality is crucial for the performance and lifespan of electric steam generators. Through proper water treatment, such as using water softeners or reverse osmosis systems, companies can ensure their steam generators operate efficiently and reliably.

At DINO Maschinenbau, we provide high-quality water treatment solutions tailored to the performance requirements of your steam generators. Contact us to learn more about our products and how we can help reduce operating costs and extend the lifespan of your equipment. We also offer complimentary water tests to assess your water hardness.