Colorado Deaerator

A deaerator heats boiler feedwater and mechanically removes dissolved oxygen and free carbon dioxide before the water enters the boiler. This deaeration process is essential to prevent corrosion damage caused by oxygen pitting and carbonic acid from carbon dioxide in boilers, economizers, feedwater piping, and condensate systems. By removing these corrosive gases, deaerators protect industrial boiler systems and improve boiler water quality. Additionally, preheating the feedwater to near saturation temperature helps reduce thermal shock and enhances boiler efficiency.

It depends on the size and operating conditions of your steam plant. Smaller, low-pressure heating plants with high condensate return rates may operate with an atmospheric feedwater tank and proper water treatment. However, larger boiler systems, higher-pressure operations, process steam applications, and facilities with significant make up water often require a pressurized deaerator to ensure dissolved gases are continuously removed and operating costs are minimized. Tri-Tech Sales evaluates boiler feedwater flow, condensate return, makeup water, and water chemistry to recommend the right equipment.

Both designs remove dissolved gases but use different mechanisms. Spray-type deaerators atomize incoming water into fine droplets using spray nozzles, creating a hollow cone spray pattern within a horizontal storage vessel. This preheats the feed water and strips dissolved gases with low pressure steam entering the vessel. Tray-type deaerators cascade water over trays in a stainless steel enclosure, allowing counter current flow of steam and water for more effective scrubbing of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Tray-type units are preferred for larger plants, high make up water rates, and industrial applications needing nearly all dissolved gases removed.

Sizing considers total boiler feed water demand, condensate return rate and temperature, make up water volume and temperature, operating pressure, required storage capacity, and available boiler room space. Factors like water flow, inlet water connection, saturation temperature, and boiler feedwater pumps are also important. Providing accurate boiler system data helps Tri-Tech Sales recommend deaerators optimized for efficient heat transfer, low vent rate, and consistent deaerated water supply.

Elevation influences boiler feedwater pumps, available pressure, and steam enters conditions. Equipment must be selected based on actual facility elevation to maintain proper partial pressure and saturation temperature for effective deaeration. Tri-Tech Sales accounts for elevation effects to ensure reliable operation and prevent corrosion damage in Colorado’s diverse environments.

Costs vary based on capacity, design type (tray or spray), operating pressure, storage volume, pump packages, controls, materials such as stainless steel, and accessories like spray valves and level controls. Larger industrial boiler systems with advanced controls and boiler feedwater pumps will have higher costs. Accurate pricing requires detailed boiler plant information and project specifications.

Yes. Upgrading to a pressurized deaerator improves dissolved gas removal, stabilizes feed water temperature, reduces chemical use, and protects boiler water and heat exchangers from corrosion. Proper sizing ensures the deaerator can handle water flow, make up water, and steam strips requirements while preventing thermal shock.

Lead times depend on manufacturer, deaerator type, capacity, tank size, pump package, controls, and current availability. Early project planning helps secure equipment with the right spray pattern, tray stack design, and counter current flow for optimal deaeration performance.