Cycles of Concentration (Boiler)

Estimates how many times the dissolved solids in feedwater have been concentrated inside the boiler as pure steam is drawn off and solids are left behind. Boilers run at far higher cycles than cooling towers (30 to 50 cycles, sometimes higher, for low-pressure boilers on well-softened water).

$$\text{Cycles of Concentration}\approx \frac{\text{Boiler Conductivity}}{\text{Feedwater Conductivity}}$$

Variables

Symbol	Meaning	Unit
Boiler Conductivity	Conductivity of the boiler water, measured on a cooled sample	µS/cm
Feedwater Conductivity	Conductivity of the feedwater entering the boiler	µS/cm

Worked example

At the Perfect Storm site, feedwater was normally about 40 µS/cm with roughly 90% condensate return, and the boilers ran near 40 cycles. When condensate was lost, feedwater rose to 450 µS/cm, driving cycles down to about 10.

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Part of The Blueprint of Water