Feedwater is usually preheated in a feed tank or deaerator to drive off oxygen and reduce thermal shock, chemically treated, then pumped in on level control. Its quality sets how much scale, corrosion and carryover the boiler sees. Feedwater temperature is logged because a cold feed means poor deaeration and higher fuel use.
Feedwater's coming in at 160 instead of 227, the DA's not getting steam, check the pressure reducing valve on its supply.
Also heard as
- boiler feed
- feed
- BFW
Related terms
Deaerator
A pressurized feedwater heater that strips dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide out of boiler feedwater with steam.
Makeup water
Fresh water added to a boiler system to replace water lost to leaks, blowdown, venting and unreturned condensate.
Condensate return
The piping and equipment that bring condensed steam back to the boiler room for reuse as feedwater.
Bump
To energize a motor, pump or burner for a second or two to check rotation or operation.