What is a common cause of boiler water carryover?

A common cause of boiler water carryover is high levels of dissolved solids in the boiler water. When the concentration of dissolved solids increases significantly, it can lead to what’s known as foaming or priming. This phenomenon occurs when the steam bubbles form and carry water along with them as they rise from the boiler.

The presence of excessive dissolved solids affects the water's surface tension and can lead to the formation of bubbles that are larger and more numerous than normal. These large bubbles may break apart and release small droplets of water into the steam, resulting in carryover. Managing the levels of dissolved solids through proper water treatment is crucial to prevent this issue and ensure efficient boiler operation.

While other factors, such as low water levels, excessive steam production, and faulty safety valves, can cause different operational issues in boilers, they do not directly relate to the specific mechanism of water carryover as high levels of dissolved solids do.