Description

The purpose of this publication is to acquaint engineers, purchasers and operators of
industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) boilers with ABMA’s judgment as to the
relationship between boiler water quality and boiler performance. This document is
published for general guidance as a supplement to detailed operating manuals supplied by
the equipment manufacturers. It should also be noted that the information presented is
directed to steel boiler designs, as opposed to cast iron sectional or copper finned tube
boilers. Furthermore Utility Boilers and Combined Cycle Boilers, which require
extremely close control of water quality and steam purity, are not the topic of this
document.

This new document combines two previous ABMA Guideline documents, namely “Boiler
Water Requirements and Associated Steam Purity for Commercial Boilers” (1998), and
“Boiler Water Limits and Achievable Steam Purity for Watertube Boilers”, (1995).
The document discusses the effect of various feedwater and condensate systems on the
boiler operation. It also provides information on boiler water and steam testing as well as
system care and maintenance.

It is recognized that specific boiler usage and water treatment will vary and may require
values different from these recommendations. Boiler users therefore, need to define limits,
equipment and operating parameters for their particular application.

These recommendations are for information only. Everyone is free to accept or reject the
conclusions of these suggestions as their own judgment warrants in all aspects of the
conduct of their business.

The ABMA does not represent or warrant that any level of steam purity depicted will be
achieved by any particular boiler or boilers.