Chemical ByPass Feeders

Bypass feeders are called so because their looped pipeline run parallel to main fluid circulation line. Chemical bypass feeders, also known as chemical pot feeders, offer a reliable way of adding chemicals into a closed loop system, to control corrosion, scale and microbial control. Usually, made of carbon steel or stainless stell, they come in various pressure and temperature ranges. They are used to transfer chemicals into systems with hot or cold water apart from other liquids like glycol. Chemical bypass feeders are extremely safe to use and help prevent the internal system and piping from corrosion when proper chemistry is applied. Additionally, these are cost-effective solutions that have been used for years now.

In industrial processes and water treatment systems, ensuring the precise administration of chemicals is important for both efficiency and safety. That's where the chemical bypass feeder came into play. It is a specialized device used to introduce a predetermined volume of treatment chemicals into chilled water applications such as air conditioning systems, hot water treatment in heating systems, or large engine water jackets.

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Cannon Water Technology has its own brand of bypass feeders. Additionally, we supply various other brands of high-quality chemical pot feeders such as by Vector Industries, JL Wingert, Advantage Controls, Neptune, A&F Machine, Pulsafeeder, General Treatment Products and Griswold.  

How Do Chemical Feeders Work?

Chemical feeders is used to control and distribute chemicals within different systems. It functions on very straightforward yet efficient principals. In this section, we will give you complete breakdown of how chemical feeders work.

  • Containment: There is a tank or container in that feeder that works as a holder for the chemicals to be dosed into the system. These chemicals can be in the any form such as granular, liquid, powder form based on the application. 
  • Dosing control: Now, this is dosing mechanism attached to the container which can set manually or controlled automatically. This mechanism use to control the amount of chemical released based on the system’s requirements. 
  • Injection point:  The chemical feeder is linked to the water flow of the system. The feeder comes with a bypass loop to work with systems under pressure, such as closed-loop heating or cooling systems. This setup enables the feeder to add chemicals to the water flow without stopping the system or reducing the pressure.
  • Dispersion: Once the chemical is injected into the system, it starts to blend with the circulating water. Proper mixing helps distribute the chemical more evenly throughout the system. This leads to enhancing the effectiveness of water treatment.

Beneficial Features of Chemical Bypass Feeders Offered by Cannon Water Technology

Our chemical bypass feeders for water treatment have gained immense popularity due to their beneficial features. Here are some important ones:

  1. Most of the models in chemicals bypass feeders come up with a fast-closing lid, which has been designed with a fleck-style cap, primarily for safety considerations. Also, for systems that require higher pressure, we offer the option to use buttress-threaded caps. This feature ensures the system can handle the increased pressure levels more efficiently.
  2. The structure of chemical bypass feeders are fabricated from heavy gauge carbon steel, 304 or 316 stainless steel, that is why they are very resilient and long-lasting.
  3. There are certain feeders that are equipped with a level base featuring an air release mechanism, accompanied by a hinged lid that can be promptly closed. Conversely, other feeders are designed with a dome or dish-shaped bottom.
  4. There are various models of chemical bypass feeders which has the feature of ASME certification which signifies compliance with rigorous industry standards for safety and quality.
  5. Chemical bypass feeders have special coatings that can withstand exposure to harsh chemicals. These coatings are designed to be durable and long-lasting, even when the feeder is used frequently.
  6. Chemical bypass feeders are available in a range of sizes to accommodate different industrial and commercial applications. Specifically, these feeders are offered in 1, 2, 5, 10, and 12-gallon capacities.

Applications of Chemical Bypass Feeders

Here’s some applications where chemical bypass feeders play an essential role: 

  • Oil & Gas: In this sector, chemical feeders are used to add inhibitors and biocides to protect equipment from corrosion and microbial growth, specifically in harsh environments like offshore platforms and refineries.
  • Swimming Pools: Swimming pool chemical feeders are used to maintain pool water quality by automatically dosing chlorine and other sanitizers to keep the water clean and safe for swimmers.
  • HVAC Closed Loops: Feeders maintain water quality in HVAC systems by adding corrosion inhibitors and antifreeze for system protection during temperature fluctuations.
  • Pharmaceutical: Precise chemical dosing is essential to ensure the quality and safety of medications. Sanitizing agents and other process chemicals required in the production of sterile products are accurately dosed using feeders.
  • Cooling Towers: These systems generally depend on feeders to inject biocides and scale inhibitors to prevent biofilm formation and mineral buildup.
  • Water Treatment: Water treatment facilities use feeders to add disinfectants and flocculants to water, which make it for consumption or release into the environment.
  • Irrigation Systems: Feeders also play an important role in the agricultural field. They add fertilizers and pesticides to irrigation systems, which leads to even crop distribution and improving water use efficiency.

How to choose chemical bypass feeders?

When it comes to choosing the right chemical bypass feeder for your system, various factors should be considered. Here are a few important ones.

  • Cost and Warranty: When purchasing a product, consider the initial cost, availability of spare parts, and the cost of operating and maintaining it. Make sure to choose products with a warranty and good customer support.
  • Capacity and Dimension: When choosing a feeder for injecting chemicals into your system, it's important to consider the system's size and the required chemical concentration. A larger system or higher chemical concentration will require a feeder with a larger capacity. 
  • Installation Need: Before installing the feeder, consider the space and environment where it will go. Ensure that the feeder's design fits within your existing space and can be easily integrated into your system with minimal modifications.
  • Ease of Maintenance: When looking for feeders, consider how easy they are to maintain. Look for features like accessible refill areas for chemicals, clear windows to monitor chemical levels, and simple mechanisms for cleaning. These features can save you time and effort.
  • Safety Features: Safety should be your top priority when handling chemicals. To ensure safe operation, choose feeders equipped with safety features like anti-siphon mechanisms, pressure relief valves, and leak detection systems. These features prevent accidents and keep you safe while using the equipment.
  • Regulatory Compliance: It is important to ensure that your feeder manufacturers follow the industry regulations, especially if you are in a highly regulated sector such as pharmaceuticals or food processing.

Types of Chemical Pot Feeders Available at Cannon Water Technology

These feeders can be classified on the basis of their structure and the application:

  • Feeders for Chlorine and Bromine: Usually continuous feeders are used for transferring chlorine or bromine into water on a continuous basis. For instance, chlorination of cooling towers. These feeders have chlorine or bromine tablets and certain erosional chemicals to reduce biological fouling and algae control. They may be made of PVC or Polypropylene, and are easy to use. In this type of biocide feeder, the vessel filled with chemical is connected to the cooling tower basin via the makeup water line or off the spray pump header.
  • Filter Feeders: Most feeders come with separate filter bags or filter cartridges. These are synthetic filters. However, these feeders have a built in filter that is removable for addition of chemicals. Also, you can transfer solid chemicals into closed loop water or any fluid system.
  • Chemical Shot Feeders: In some applications, chemicals need to be transferred in batches and not on a continuous basis. Chemical shot feeders are designed to accommodate and transfer batches of chemicals. In this case the you can add liquid or dry chemical to the shot feeder and slug does it into the system. Perfect for use in closed chill water systems or hot water hydronic heating loops.

Features of Chemical Bypass Feeders

The following are some common features of chemical bypass feeders

  • Most models have a quick closure lid with a Fleck style cap for safety. Optionally we have buttress threaded caps that allow for higher pressure systems.
  • They are constructed from heavy gauge carbon steel, 304 or 316 stainless steel, and hence are robust and durable.
  • Some feeders have a flat bottom with air release and a quick closure lid. Others have a dome bottom or dish bottom tank.
  • All the models are ASME certified.
  • They have a powder coated finish or epoxy coatings that withstand harsh chemicals.
  • They come in 1, 2, 5, 10 and 12 gallon sizes.

Applications of Chemical Bypass Feeders

As mentioned, chemical bypass feeders find applications in all industries, which require fluid transfer at the required speed, pressure, and temperature. This also includes dealing with corrosive fluids. Some of the application industries are:

  • Chemicals
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Oil & gas
  • Petroleum
  • Water treatment
  • Swimming pools
  • Irrigation systems
  • Cooling Towers
  • HVAC closed loops
  • Chill water systems
  • Hydronic heating water systems

Are you looking for quality-driven pot feeders? If yes, you can contact the experts at Cannon Water Technology, Inc. We are manufacturers and suppliers of high-quality chemical pot feeders with filters as well. We will assist you in choosing the right one to suit your requirement. We also assist with the installation process. For details, you can reach us on phone or email.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): 

Here are some frequently asked questions that you may have about chemical bypass feeders:

  • What are some common troubleshooting issues with chemical bypass feeders? 

Common pool chemical feeder issues are clogging, leaking, and inaccurate dosing. To prevent clogging, clean the feeder regularly and use properly dissolved chemicals. Check connections and seals to avoid leaking. To prevent inaccurate dosing, regularly calibrate and adjust the dosing mechanism.

  • Can chemical bypass feeders be automated?

Yes, various modern chemical bypass feeders can be automated. They have features such as electronic dosing controls that adjust the chemical injection rate based on real-time feedback from the system. Automation maintains the consistency level of the chemical and reduces the need for manual adjustments.

  • What is chemical feed rate?

It refers to the total amount of chemicals necessary to add a certain amount of chemicals to the treatment process and to the actual chemical output from the feeder.

  • What should I do if the feeder is not injecting chemicals?

To troubleshoot a failing chemical feeder, check for blockages in the feeder lines or valves, inspect the pump (if applicable), and review the settings and controls to ensure they are properly configured.

  • What are the signs that a chemical bypass feeder needs replacement?

Signs that a feeder may need replacement are frequent leaks, corrosion or material degradation, and inconsistent chemical dosing.