Corrosion

Corrosion is defined as 'a chemical reaction that causes the decomposition of essential properties in a material.' Commonly, this is used to describe the reaction of metals and water and oxygen resulting in the loss of electrons. The most easily recognisable example of this is the oxidation of iron atoms causing the weakening of iron... otherwise known as rust.

So how does all of this affect a boiler or a cooling tower?

Well, when a boiler heats water (and boils it, funnily enough) it creates steam, as happens when evaporating water in a cooling tower. This evaporation leaves dissolved minerals behind, which over time leads to a build up of minerals. Over time, this constant increase in concentration of minerals can lead to damage from the corrosion or lead to a loss of efficiency.This obviously has a detrimental effect on both boilers and cooling towers, and a constant monitoring of minerals that can cause the corrosion must be monitored to ensure it doesn't happen.