Conditioning is the process of achieving the optimum condition of water – from the point of view of its final use. The methods and means used depend, for example, on whether the water is to be used in cooling or heating installations or in other systems and equipment that require process water of the highest quality in order to function properly and without failure.
For this purpose, various types of chemical agents are usually used to improve the physicochemical structure of water. The final success of the entire process, which we call water conditioning, depends on the original condition of water, purpose for which it is to be used, proper selection of preparations, their quantity and dosing efficiency.
Too little or too much of the agent may not significantly affect the quality of water and the effect of conditioning will not be as intended, which is why it is worth choosing cooperation with an experienced team of specialists, who have the appropriate knowledge and modern means to ensure the best “correction” of conditioned water (which usually means the process of its softening – partial or complete, so that there is no accumulation of scale and corrosive processes).
Conditioning removes from the water: harmful chemical compounds, dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, mechanical impurities, microorganisms. Conditioning also means optimizing the pH value of water to the values desired for the type of plant in which the cooling and process water “runs.”
Problems with the physicochemical condition of water are caused by improper operation of plants and equipment. These include excessive salinity, excessive hardness, low water flow velocity, and corrosion intensification.
Regular monitoring of the installation condition and water quality as well as the use of proper conditioning agents reduce or eliminate corrosion, biofilm and scale formation – and this is the most effective action to ensure trouble-free operation of equipment and installation systems.
Water quality and efficiency of technological processes
To ensure the highest efficiency of various technological processes “related” to the flow of water with appropriate parameters, it is necessary to ensure the highest possible water quality. Any impurities, corrosion, scale affect negatively e.g. heat transfer.
Each installation requires individual treatment, thus one order may consist of both elimination of already existing deposits and corrosion, as well as taking action to prevent their occurrence in the future. It is necessary to analyze the problems and then to choose the right methods and means of water conditioning – the adjustment of dosing method of chemical preparations (e.g. biocides, etc.) is also important here.
This way process water can be conditioned in: air conditioning systems, cooling systems (open and closed), transition systems, heating systems, etc. The most popular and widely used preparations which can be recommended here are various types of corrosion and scale inhibitors as well as dispersants and biocides or flocculants.
In the case of cooling water, in addition to the above-mentioned methods (inhibitors, biocides, pH adjustment), filtration is also successfully used.
More often, effective cooling water treatment is carried out in mobile containers – which is very convenient and effective at the same time. In such a container, complex tasks in the field of water conditioning can be performed (among others: measurements, dosing, equipment control, etc.).
