Feedwater Conductivity

Definition

The electrical conductivity of boiler feedwater, used as a proxy for dissolved solids and the denominator in the cycles of concentration calculation. Lower feedwater conductivity allows higher cycles.

Returning clean condensate dilutes incoming makeup and lowers feedwater conductivity, letting the boiler operate at higher cycles with less blowdown. In the Perfect Storm case feedwater conductivity tripled from about 40 to 450 microsiemens per centimeter when condensate return was lost, forcing the blowdown controllers to dump water and cutting cycles from 40 to 10. It is a frontline diagnostic for condensate and pretreatment problems.

Related concepts

Condensate Return · Cycles of Concentration · Conductivity Controller

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 📏 measurement