How To Take Water Samples With Miura Boilers
Learn the crucial steps of taking water samples with Miura’s industrial steam boilers
One of the most important parts of maintaining a steam boiler system is ensuring that the water that’s being used inside the boiler is of high quality. Miura offers several accessories to help ensure your boiler always uses quality water. Of course, this still requires taking samples to test the feed water your boiler uses and make any necessary adjustments.
Tools Needed for Your Water Samples
Be sure to gather all your equipment before taking your water samples. In addition to having sampling bottles, you will also need QR code labels to place on each filled sampling bottle. These labels must display the sample date, the water type, and the boiler’s serial number. Pre-filled labels may be available, although blank ones can be filled out manually if necessary. You will also need a pitcher or large container on hand and a pair of channel-lock pliers if the water port is difficult to reach.
From Where Can I Get a Water Sample?
Miura suggests taking water samples from up to five different locations if possible. They are as follows:
- City Water – This is the tap water that comes out of your sink or faucet. It should be tested if the same water will eventually be fed into your boiler.
- Make Up Water – This is water from equipment that takes care of pre-treatment for your boiler, most notably reverse osmosis systems and water softeners.
- Feed Water – This is water that’s collected from either your boiler’s piping or feed water tank. Remember that the bottom of your tank may accumulate sludge or other sediments at the bottom. This makes the piping the better option for a water sample if it’s available.
- Boiler Water – This is the water straight from your boiler. The sampling port on your Miura steam boiler is at the surface blowdown valve. The location of this valve is different on different models of boilers, so consult your manual if you have trouble finding it.
- Condensate Water – This water can be found by following the piping that leads into your industrial steam boiler room.
Water Sampling Safety Precautions
Before you start taking water samples from those sources, remember that boiler, feed, and condensate water will all be pressurized and taken at high temperatures, so be sure to exercise caution when collecting them. Also, never collect water samples while your feed water pump is on; always turn it off before taking samples.
When ready to take a boiler water sample, place your container under the sample port and open the valve. If you have trouble reaching the valve, this is why you have pliers on hand. Be sure to let the water run for five seconds to clear out the piping before filling and rinsing your large pitcher three times. At that point, you will be able to fill your sampling bottles. Always be sure to fill them to the top so there is no air inside them, as this can interfere with the testing.
Once the bottle is full, attach the appropriate label to the bottle, always double-checking that the bottle and the label match. Before shipping the samples to the designated water lab, check that the tops of each bottle are closed tightly and that there’s room in the box to ensure they don’t crack during shipping. Then, you’ll be ready to ship your water samples and wait for the results.
Learn more about taking water samples with a Miura industrial steam boiler in our video, or speak to one of our team for more information on our boiler water treatments.