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the drain cocks at boiler and in return main and
feed water slowly up to normal level in boiler.
Turn on burner and allow boiler to steam for
10 minutes then turn off burner. Draw off one
quart of water from bottom gauge glass fitting
and discard. Draw off another quart sample and
if this sample is not clear, repeat the cycle of
draining the boiler and return main and refilling
the boiler until sample is clear.
f. If the boiler water becomes dirty again at a later
date due to additional sediment loosened up in
the piping, close gate valve in Hartford Loop,
open drain cock in return main, turn on burner
and allow condensate to flow to drain until it has
run clear for at least 30 minutes while feeding
water to boiler so as to maintain normal water
level. Turn off burner, drain boiler, open gate
valve in Hartford Loop, then repeat step (1)
above.
5. Make pH or Alkalinity Test.
After boiler and system have been cleaned and
refilled as previously described, test the pH of the
water in the system. This can easily be done by
drawing a small sample of boiler water and testing
hydrion paper which is used in the same manner
as litmus paper, except it gives specific readings.
A color chart on the side of the small hydrion
dispenser gives the reading in pH. Hydrion paper
is inexpensive and obtainable from any chemical
supply house or through your local druggist. The
pH should be higher than 7, but lower than 11. Add
some appropriate water treatment chemicals, if
necessary to bring the pH within the specified range.
6. Boiler is now ready to be put into service.
L. BOILER AND SYSTEM CLEANING - WATER
BOILERS
1. Filling of Boiler and System --- General --- In a hot
water heating system, the boiler and entire system
(other than the expansion tank) must be full of water
for satisfactory operation. Water should be added to
the system until the boiler pressure gauge registers
normal system design operating pressure. To insure
that the system is full, water should come out of all
air vents when opened.
2. Boiling Out of Boiler and System. The oil and
grease which accumulate in a new hot water boiler
can be washed out in the following manner.
a. Remove safety relief valve using extreme care to
avoid damaging it.
b. Add an appropriate amount of recommended
boilout compound.
c. Reinstall safety relief valve.
d. Fill the entire system with water.
e. Start firing the boiler.
f. Circulate the water through the entire system.
g. Vent the system, including the radiation.
h. Allow boiler water to reach operating
temperature, if possible.
i. Continue to circulate the water for a few hours.
j. Stop firing the boiler.
k. Drain the system in a manner and to a location
that hot water can be discharged with safety.
l. Remove plugs from all available returns and
wash the water side of the boiler as thoroughly as
possible, using a high-pressure water stream.
m. Refill the system with fresh water.
3. Add appropriate boiler water treatment compounds
as recommended by your local qualified water
treatment company.
4. Make pH or Alkalinity Test.
After boiler and system have been cleaned and
refilled as previously described, test the pH of
the water in the system. This can easily be done
by drawing a small sample of boiler water and
testing with hydrion paper which is used in the
same manner as litmus paper, except it gives
specific readings. A color chart on the side of the
small hydrion dispenser gives the reading in pH.
Hydrion paper is inexpensive and obtainable from
any chemical supply house or through your local
druggist. The pH should be higher than 7 but lower
than 11. Add some appropriate water treatment
chemicals, if necessary to bring the pH within the
specified range. With this lower level of protection,
care must be exercised to eliminate all of the free
oxygen in the system.
5. Boiler is now ready to be put into service.