Endress+Hauser’s solutions ensure precise water quality monitoring, reducing costs, protecting assets, and maintaining compliance in modern power generation, writes Praveen Menon, Head of Business Unit Solutions

Maintaining optimal water quality in industrial boiler systems is not just a best practice, it’s a necessity for operational efficiency, equipment longevity, and plant safety.

Even slight deviations in water chemistry can trigger a chain reaction of corrosion, scaling, and performance loss, potentially leading to unplanned downtime, costly repairs, and reduced asset lifespan.

Critical components like heat exchangers, turbines, and superheaters are extremely sensitive to impurities in the water-steam cycle.

GROWING CHALLENGE IN MODERN POWER GENERATION

The global shift toward renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and biomass, has transformed how conventional power plants operate.

Rather than running continuously at steady loads, many plants now face frequent shutdowns and startups to balance grid fluctuations.

While necessary for modern energy strategy, these operational changes increase accelerating oxygen desorption, corrosion, and mechanical wear, leading to scaling risks.

Moreover, turbine and boiler manufacturers impose strict warranty requirements on water and steam quality.

Even minor deviations from the prescribed chemistry can void warranties and jeopardise plant performance.

This is why consistent, precise, and reliable water quality monitoring has become more critical than ever.

WATER QUALITY MONITORING IS ESSENTIAL

SWAS analytical panel for the watersteam cycle

In high-pressure, high-temperature boiler systems, bypass measurement with sample conditioning is the gold standard for accuracy and safety.

Endress+Hauser recommends monitoring water chemistry at several strategic points in the cycle, including:

• Saturated steam: This ensures steam purity for turbine protection.

• Blowdown: This monitors dissolved solids and contaminants removed from the system.

• Condensate and hot condensate: This detects impurities from leaks or corrosion.

• Feedwater: This verifies incoming water quality before entering the boiler.

• Deionised water: This confirms ultra-pure makeup water specifications.

Monitoring these points helps operators detect early deviations, perform predictive maintenance, and optimise chemical dosing.

ENDRESS+HAUSER SWAS SOLUTIONS – SMART, SCALABLE & RELIABLE

Endress+Hauser’s Steam and Water Analysis Systems (SWAS) combine sample preparation, cation exchange, and advanced sensor technology into fully engineered panels that ensure accurate, safe, and continuous water quality measurement.

The SWAS Compact is designed for space-constrained environments without sacrificing performance. The key benefits include:

• Up to 60 per cent sample reduction: Less cooling water required, reducing operational costs.

• Plug-and-play setup: Pre-calibrated sensors minimise installation time.

• Simplified maintenance: Lab-calibrated sensors with Memobase Plus software make upkeep predictable and traceable.

• Built-in safety: Automatic temperature shutdown protects both instruments and operators.

• Clean, ergonomic design: Neatly arranged for minimal clutter and easier operation.

For plants with higher pressure, higher temperature, or more complex sampling needs, the SWAS Customised solution provides robust, tailored performance. The features include:

• Parallel sensor arrangement, which enables individual sensor maintenance without stopping sample flow.

• Flexible sample collection supports operator sampling alongside continuous monitoring.

• The scalable design is expandable to meet evolving plant requirements.

WHY PARTNER WITH ENDRESS+HAUSER?

With decades of global experience in process automation, Endress+Hauser stands out for its deep sensor integration expertise, precision panel design, and dependable after-sales service. The key advantages for customers include:

• Optimal sensor performance through seamless integration into panels.

• Rapid response times thanks to a single point of contact for service and support.

• Reliable, traceable data for compliance and performance assurance.

• Local technical expertise to assist with troubleshooting and optimisation.

Customers also benefit from:

• Quick access: Ergonomic sensor layouts for easy operation and maintenance.

• Plug-and-play deployment: Pre-engineered systems reduce installation and commissioning time.

• Predictive maintenance: Real-time sensor health diagnostics help avoid unplanned downtime.

• Investment protection: Safety features and robust build quality safeguard assets.

• Space efficiency: Compact designs free up valuable floor space in control rooms or process areas.

FUTURE-PROOF APPROACH TO BOILER WATER QUALITY

In the evolving landscape of power generation and industrial steam systems, protecting water quality is both a compliance requirement and a competitive advantage.

Endress+Hauser’s SWAS solutions, whether Compact for space efficiency or Customised for high-demand operations, deliver the accuracy, reliability, and flexibility modern plants need.

By combining advanced sensor technology, intelligent panel engineering, and unmatched industry expertise, Endress+Hauser helps operators protect assets, reduce costs, and ensure safe, efficient operations.