atlantic feedwater systems specializes in economical boiler feedwater systems. The tank storage capacity is an important parameter to consider when selecting your feedwater system.

How Big is the Tank?

The standard tank size provides about 1 gallon of storage for each boiler horsepower of boiler capacity. For example, a 100 HP boiler would have at least 100 gallon of storage capacity.

When Should You Use a Larger Tank?

• If the system has a large amount of condensate returning, you may wish to use a tank which provides more than the typical 1 gallon per boiler horsepower of capacity. The larger tank capacity allows the vessel to receive large condensate surges with less chance of the condensate overflowing to drain. It is best to eliminate condensate over-flow. Losing condensate to the drain wastes valuable water and energy. If the feed system has a large enough tank, this will not happen.
• If the condensate returns exceed 50% of the total unit flow, you may wish to increase the tank size to the next larger size. This will increase the capacity to 1.5 gallons or 2 gallons per boiler horsepower. We have seen some people use storage capacities of as much as 3 gallons per boiler horsepower on large campus type systems. The larger tank is a small investment to make in order eliminate condensate loss during surges. For example, the cost to increase a 100 gallon horizontal tank to 220 gallons is only $330.

Do You Need a Replacement Tank?

Over time, boiler feed systems fail during operation. The primary cause of failure is vessel corrosion due to high levels of make up in a vessel using a steam sparge tube to heat the feedwater in the vessel. If oxygen corrosion caused the vessel to fail in 3 or 4 years, you should consider replacing the vessel with a corrosion resistant vessel. The initial higher cost of a stainless steel replacement vessel will be offset by its extended life. We can provide replacement vessels for any system in the field.

When choosing a replacement vessel try to answer these two questions:

• Why did the vessel fail?
• How old was the vessel?

If needed, we offer quick delivery service.