Abstract
The development of gas-fired heating appliances, in which the water in the products of combustion is condensed and the latent heat used, allow high efficiencies to be realised. It also poses a problem in that the condensate, a mild acid, has to be drained away. This problem has been analysed and it was concluded that the disposal of the condensate into the nearest drains would not affect the normal operation of municipal systems for effluent disposal. However, it appeared that the spasmodic wetting of household drains with a mild acid, that could be concentrated by drying, put an extra duty on the pipework. A life test was therefore carried out on typical drain materials and this has indicated that boiler condensate is unlikely to have a harmful effect. This conclusion is supported by tests made in Holland and the USA.
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