When do you know if your decarbonation system needs service?
When a degasification tower or decarbonator become fouled there are several indicators that identify you may have a problem or its time to clean your system. If the efficiency of the degasifier has dropped you will see an increase consumption rate of chemicals. If you are removing less H2S in the degasifier your chlorine consumption will increase. When you increase the amount of chemical reaction occurring in the water, you will see an increase in the TSS levels and drop in water quality. As the H2S reacts with chlorine more solids will form and be present in the water and the water quality will diminish.
Another indicator of a fouling condition is the adjustment of pH in the Industrial Water Treatment industry you are required to meet the set standards. As performance of the tower drops the removal of CO2 will also drop leaving a higher pH level than may be desired. A quick inspection to check out the media bed should be performed. Also, do not forget to inspect the distribution system at the top of your tower and remember that all distribution systems are not alike and to inspect the condition of each of them may require additional efforts on your part. With a header lateral system you need to inspect the distribution nozzles but with a Weir or Tray type you will need to check the amount of scale or fouling that is building up on the Weir edge or int the bottom of the pan. If the Weir edge becomes fouled unevenly it will create "Channeling" of the water and an increase in the initial hydraulic load to a concentrated point on the media bed.
f you are removing Carbon Dioxide (CO2) to increase your pH or to prevent the formation of carbonic acid to protect and guard against corrosion and the media packing has become fouled you will see an increase regeneration requirement on your ion exchange resin system. This is an indication that the decarbonation tower is not functioning properly.
Water Channeling can cause increased hydraulic loads
if the distribution system is fouled or plugged (as typical in weir systems) it will create what is known as a “channeling” effect inside of the tower. This causes an increase in hydraulic loading in one or more sections of the media bed and media surfaces. If this increases too much hydraulic flooding will occur in those areas and the unit will not properly perform. During a hydraulic flood condition the degasifier or aerator media cannot obtain a proper air to water ratio loading rate and this decreases the efficiency of the equipment.
Oxidation of solids in the media can occur
If solids or fouling is allowed to build and is not removed structural damage can occur inside of the degasification or aeration tower. If the media bed becomes fouled to the point where water flow is restricted the weight on the internal structures of the tower will exceed the original design capability and cause the collapse of the media support plate and typically damage other internal components such as the air resistor or blower duct intake fittings or vents.
If your degasification or decarbonation tower system also includes a chemical scrubber of biological scrubber please do not forget to inspect the internal condition of the scrubber during the maintenance inspection period. Excessive fouling in a scrubber will lower performance and can damage the internals just like the water degasification tower. DeLoach Industries, Inc. offers a wide range of packed towers and scrubbers in addition to field support services for all of your needs. For more information or to learn more contact the professionals at DeLoach Industries Inc. at (941) 371-4995.
