Steam Boiler and Cooling Tower Water Treatment Chemicals
Steam boilers and evaporative cooling towers are critical industrial systems directly affected by the chemical characteristics of their operating water. If hardness minerals, dissolved oxygen, salts and other contaminants are not properly controlled, problems such as scaling, corrosion, sludge, deposits and microbiological growth can develop.
These conditions may reduce heat-transfer efficiency, increase fuel and energy consumption, restrict pipes and heat exchangers, reduce pump performance and shorten equipment service life. Uncontrolled water conditions may also result in unplanned shutdowns, production losses and high maintenance costs.
ACCA water-treatment products for steam boilers and cooling towers are designed to help control scaling, corrosion, dissolved oxygen, deposits and microbiological contamination. The range includes antiscalants, corrosion inhibitors, alkalinity regulators, oxygen scavengers, dispersants, microbiological-control products and system cleaners.
Steam Boiler Water Treatment Products
Steam boilers operate under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions. Calcium and magnesium salts contained in the feedwater can form hard deposits on boiler surfaces. Even a relatively thin layer of scale may reduce heat transfer, increase metal temperature and raise fuel consumption.
Dissolved oxygen can cause localised corrosion in the boiler, feedwater system and condensate-return lines. Low pH and insufficient alkalinity may also make metal surfaces more vulnerable to corrosion.
The ACCA WT VAP range is formulated to regulate boiler-water alkalinity, reduce the effects of dissolved oxygen, limit the precipitation of hardness salts and protect both the boiler and condensate system.
ACCA WT VAP Products
WT VAP 10102/D SOFT** is a low-volatility multifunctional product developed for steam boilers supplied with demineralised or softened water and operating at pressures of up to approximately 35 bar. It combines alkalising, oxygen-scavenging and antiscalant properties.
WT VAP 10104/D TOTAL VAP** provides comprehensive treatment for both the boiler and condensate-return system. It helps maintain boiler alkalinity, control residual hardness and reduce the corrosive effects of dissolved oxygen. Its volatile components support the protection of condensate lines.
WT VAP 10105/D ALKAL** is a non-volatile alkalinity stabiliser that helps regulate boiler-water pH and alkalinity. Its alkalising, dispersing and antiscalant components support protection against acidic corrosion.
WT VAP 10112/D DEOX** is a volatile oxygen scavenger and corrosion inhibitor designed to remove dissolved oxygen rapidly. Its volatile amine components help protect condensate-return lines without increasing boiler-water salinity.
The correct chemical-treatment programme should be selected according to feedwater quality, boiler pressure, condensate-return rate, blowdown conditions, steam application and operating requirements.
Cooling Tower Water Treatment Products
In evaporative cooling towers, part of the circulating water evaporates while dissolved minerals remain in the system. This gradually increases the concentration of salts and hardness. Without proper treatment, scale and deposits may form on heat exchangers, pipework, tower fill and spray nozzles.
Because cooling towers are open systems, they are continuously exposed to airborne dust, pollen, organic matter and microorganisms. Suitable temperature and moisture conditions can promote algae, bacteria, fungi, biofilm and sludge. These deposits can restrict water flow, reduce heat transfer and increase the risk of corrosion.
The ACCA WT TE range provides solutions for controlling scale, corrosion, deposits and microbiological contamination in evaporative cooling towers.
ACCA WT TE Products
**WT TE 10118/D ANTISCALE** is a concentrated antiscalant and dispersant suitable for evaporative towers with high circulating-water volumes. It is formulated for compatibility with different tower metallurgies.
**WT TE 10121/D DECROST** is designed for cooling towers supplied with hard water. It helps disperse organic and inorganic fouling and limits the adhesion of deposits to system surfaces.
**WT TE 10122/D DERUST** is a multifunctional product containing dispersants, antiscalants and corrosion inhibitors. It supports the protection of iron, copper and alloy surfaces and provides effective treatment under elevated-temperature conditions.
**WT TE 10125/D TOTAL TE** combines scale and deposit control with microbiological protection. It helps control algae, fungi and microorganisms while providing dispersing and antiscalant properties.
**WT TE 10130/D IG** is a highly concentrated microbiological-control product developed for evaporative cooling towers. It provides fungicidal, germicidal and algaecidal activity. According to the ACCA catalogue, the product is active against *Legionella pneumophila*. Its use should be planned according to the facility's risk assessment and applicable regulations.
**WT TE DECROST** is an inhibited cleaner designed to remove mineral deposits, sludge and silt from cooling towers and heat exchangers. Its calibrated organic-acid blend and corrosion inhibitors support controlled system-cleaning operations.
Main Application Areas
- Industrial steam boilers
- Steam generators
- Boiler feedwater systems
- Condensate-return lines
- Heat-recovery systems
- Evaporative cooling towers
- Open-circuit cooling systems
- Condensers and heat exchangers
- Spray nozzles and cooling-tower fill
- Process-cooling installations
- Energy, food, chemical, plastics, metal and textile plants
- Central air-conditioning and HVAC systems
Main Benefits
- Helps control scale and mineral deposits
- Reduces the risk of corrosion in boilers, pipework and condensate lines
- Limits the corrosive effects of dissolved oxygen
- Supports clean heat-transfer surfaces
- Helps maintain fuel and energy efficiency
- Controls sludge, deposits and biofilm
- Helps manage algae, fungi and bacteria in cooling towers
- Supports the protection of pumps, heat exchangers, valves and nozzles
- Contributes to reducing unplanned maintenance shutdowns
- Supports extended boiler and cooling-system service life
Dosing and System Monitoring
Water-treatment performance depends on both correct product selection and controlled dosing. ACCA chemicals can be applied through fixed-output or water-proportional automatic dosing pumps.
For steam boilers, parameters such as pH, alkalinity, conductivity, hardness, dissolved oxygen and blowdown should be monitored. Cooling-tower programmes should include monitoring of pH, conductivity, water hardness, cycles of concentration, corrosion and microbiological loading.
Product selection and dosage should consider:
- Chemical analysis of feedwater and makeup water
- Boiler operating pressure
- Intended use of the steam
- Condensate-return rate
- Metals present in the system
- Cooling-tower water volume and heat load
- Cycles of concentration and blowdown rate
- Operating temperature
- Existing scale, corrosion and deposit levels
- Microbiological risk and operating conditions
Technical data sheets and safety data sheets should be reviewed before application. Biocide use must be managed according to applicable regulations, site procedures, professional water analysis and an appropriate risk-control programme.