Conductivity measurement

Conductivity measurement is mainly used in steam boilers for the control of boiler water and condensate. Limit values are set for the quality of the boiler water that is controlled by the conductivity measurement. If the water quality deviates from the limit value, the sensor notifies the system about the change, and the system will manage, for example, the feeding of additional water into the steam boiler.

The goal is saving energy

A correct dosing of boiler water is important for the sake of not only internal order and minimised maintenance needs, but also because with a functioning conductivity measurement an optimised blowdown capacity of water is achieved. In this case, the need for additional water is minimal.

Conductivity measurement can also be used as an indicator of leakage, for example, in heat exchangers where two media of different conductivity are used. If there is leakage in the heat exchanger and the media are mixed, the conductivity sensor immediately triggers an alarm in the system.

GESTRA LRG(T) conductivity sensors are available with manual or automatic temperature compensation. The conductivity signal is forwarded by an active transmitter (output signal 4-20mA) integrated in the sensor or through using a separate amplifier, in which case the communication between the sensor and the amplifier is digital. The conductivity of the medium measured should be at least 0.5µS/cm.

GESTRA also has a controller with conductivity sensor LRS 1-7a that can control a 3-way valve to dispose of contaminated condensate.