Three essential maintenance tips for your brewery boiler
ShareA reliable boiler is a vital part of any brewery. You will need to keep it well-maintained if it is to keep working at full efficiency. Here is a quick guide to some of the steps you should take.
Check the steam traps
Steam traps are designed to deal with condensation in the boiler. They allow any condensed steam to escape while keeping the remaining steam in the boiler. Unfortunately, they can sometimes leak and allow steam through as well as the condensate. This means that the boiler must work harder to produce more steam, consuming more energy. It can also add to the wear and tear on the boiler and increase the likelihood of it breaking down. Checking the steam traps regularly for leaks should prevent this from happening - the sooner they are detected, the easier they are to repair.
Perform a blowdown
Blowdown is the process of draining the water from the boiler. The reason for this is to stop the build-up of minerals inside the boiler. Substances such as chlorides, calcium and magnesium are present in water. They are harmless in themselves, but if they are allowed to build up they can cause a thick layer of scale on the inside of the boiler. This can block the flow of steam and can make the boiler much less efficient. By draining the water once a week, you are preventing this scale from building up. This will increase the lifespan of the boiler and stop it from using too much energy.
Use a chemical treatment
A third essential tip is to use a chemical treatment on your boiler. Exactly which chemicals you need will depend on the quality of the water and the particular set-up you have, so if in doubt you should consult a professional water treatment service. Adding a chemical treatment every day will prevent a number of issues. It will help to stop scale forming in the boiler and can make water less acidic. It can also prevent frothing in the boiler and will keep corrosion to a minimum. This will make the boiler last longer and will keep it running at maximum efficiency.
Regular maintenance of your boiler will keep it running efficiently and keep breakdowns to a minimum. If you have any more questions on how to look after your boiler, just ask any boiler installation company who will be happy to advise on how to look after it.
Reach out to a company like East Coast Steam for more information on brewery boilers.