18 - WATER QUALITY IN HYDRONIC SYSTEMS

Water is the essential fluid in all hydronic systems. Its quality affects the system’s efficiency, reliability, life expectancy, and the effectiveness of any chemical additives.  There is a “physical” aspect to water quality, and a “chemical” aspect. The physical aspect involves procedures for ridding systems of gasses and solid impurities. The devices involved include dirt separators, air vents and magnetic separators.  These have been discussed in previous issues of idronics™. 

This issue of idronics was developed to address these concerns.  It discusses problems that can develop within hydronic systems when water quality is ignored.  It lays out procedures for converting raw water into high quality water. Emphasis is placed on demineralization for preparing water for use in hydronic systems. It concludes with procedures for testing, flushing, washing, demineralizing, and final adjustment of water quality.  The objective is to ensure that the water within the system can provide optimal performance over many years of operation.