What is a good T.D.S. reading for a steam boiler?

A good T.D.S. (Total Dissolved Solids) reading for a steam boiler typically ranges from 300 to 5000 ppm, depending on the type of boiler and specific operating conditions. A reading of 5000 ppm is acceptable for some types of industrial boilers which can tolerate higher levels of dissolved solids, especially those that are designed for specific applications and have adequate blowdown systems to manage concentration levels.

Maintaining T.D.S. within this acceptable range is crucial for protecting the boiler system from issues such as scaling and blowdown problems. At lower T.D.S. readings, the water may be overly treated or not sufficiently conducive to producing steam without issues. Therefore, a reading like 5000 ppm appropriately balances operational efficiency with the need to manage water quality safely in high-capacity systems.

Lower readings, such as 0.25 ppm or 250 ppm, may not be realistic or effective for certain higher-temperature steam systems, while 3000 ppm may exceed optimal tolerances for many systems, potentially leading to operational problems and inefficiencies.