Friday, April 29, 2011

Corroding Condensate Polishers

I have written several posts about Res-Kem's reasons for manufacturing our condensate polishers in stainless steel. Here are two lessons why this is important.

What happened?
Within the past two weeks, we have been contacted by two different facilities managers who purchased sodium cycle condensate polishers from companies other than Res-Kem. The tanks on their systems are corroding through in 16-18 months!

What is the cause?
In an effort to save money on the capital cost of the condensate polishers, the ion exchange resin tanks were purchased with epoxy coated carbon steel. Slight and relatively common imperfections in the lining, coupled with the treatment of hot condensate caused rapid failure of the tanks.

While we understand and live with the same pressures everyone is under to reduce capital expenditures, the decision to use coated steel tanks will cost them much more money in a very short period of time. A stainless steel polisher will operate for many years with minimal routine maintenance.

What is the solution?
Unfortunately, these two systems cannot be salvaged. We have proposals at each of these companies for us to replace these corroding condensate polishers with two new systems fabricated completely stainless steel including the tanks, tank internals, face piping and valves.

What is the lesson?
If you want to maximize the huge energy and water treatment chemical savings a condensate polisher provides, please only buy a polishing system in stainless steel.

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