01
Data request
We ask for the deaerator data sheet, line diagram, operating pressure and temperature trends, feedwater analysis and the flows of condensate and make-up water.
Remote consulting · GCC
Deaerator review and troubleshooting for GCC plants
A deaerator heats boiler feedwater with steam to drive out dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide before they reach the boiler. When it runs at the wrong pressure, vents too little or too much, or cannot cope with the condensate and make-up mix, corrosion and wasted steam follow. We review how your deaerator is set up and operated, and tell you what to change.
Signs your deaerator needs attention
- Oxygen scavenger use is high or keeps rising.
- Corrosion or pitting shows up in feedwater lines, economisers or boiler tubes.
- The vent plume is very large, or there is no visible vent at all.
- Deaerator pressure or temperature swings with load.
- Feedwater pumps cavitate or lose suction.
- Condensate return or make-up water flows have changed since the deaerator was sized.
How the remote deaerator review works
02
Guided checks
Your team photographs the vent, steam supply, level and pressure controls and takes readings using a checklist we prepare.
03
Calculation
We check the heating steam demand, vent rate, operating temperature against saturation and the margin for the feedwater pumps.
04
Recommendations
You receive the likely causes of the problems we found and the changes in settings, controls or arrangement that address them.
What you receive
- A review of deaerator operation against its design and current loads
- A check of venting, pressure control and steam supply
- Feedwater pump suction and cavitation margin assessment
- Likely causes of oxygen or corrosion problems
- Prioritised recommendations in a written report, with a review call
GCC CONTEXT
Why deaerators matter in GCC plants
Make-up water in the region often starts as desalinated water, which is low in hardness but can be aggressive once it is heated. Good deaeration protects the boiler and feedwater system, and keeps the use of oxygen scavenger chemicals down. Where condensate return has changed over the years, a deaerator sized for the original flows may no longer suit the plant.
What to prepare
- Deaerator data sheet and line diagram
- Operating pressure, temperature and level trends
- Recent feedwater and boiler water analysis
- Condensate return and make-up water flows, measured or estimated
- Photographs of the vent, steam supply and control valves
Deaerator questions
What does a deaerator do?
A deaerator heats boiler feedwater close to its saturation temperature using steam. Dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide are released from the water and vented, which protects the boiler and feedwater system against corrosion.
What is the difference between a pressurised deaerator and a feed tank?
A pressurised deaerator runs slightly above atmospheric pressure, so the water can be heated to saturation and the gases removed effectively. An atmospheric feed tank heats the water less, so more oxygen stays in solution and more chemical treatment is needed.
How much should a deaerator vent?
Enough to carry the released gases away, and no more. Too little venting leaves oxygen in the water, while too much wastes steam. The right rate depends on the design and the operating conditions, which is one of the things we check.
Can a deaerator be reviewed remotely?
Yes. Most problems can be traced from the data sheet, trends, water analysis and photographs of the installation, collected by your site team.
Explore further
LET’S START WITH YOUR SYSTEM
What is your
steam challenge?
A few useful details make the first technical discussion more productive.
Include your objective, operating conditions and any drawings or photographs available.