SYCON BoB – TÜV-certified analyzer for steam boiler systems
Why is certified hardness monitoring required in the boiler house?
Steam boiler systems place the highest demands on the quality of the feed water. Even the smallest amounts of residual hardness can lead to limescale deposits on the heating surfaces – resulting in overheating, loss of performance and, in the worst case, boiler damage. VdTÜV Code of Practice WÜV 100 therefore requires continuous, automated monitoring of water hardness using certified devices – including the option of 72-hour unattended operation (BOB).
What is the SYCON BoB?
The SYCON BoB from RLS Wacon is a fully automatic online analyzer for monitoring the residual hardness in boiler feed water and returning condensate. It is certified in accordance with VdTÜV data sheet WÜV 100 and therefore fulfills the requirement for operation without supervision (BOB) for 72 hours.
The device is based on the proven SYCON platform, but is specially optimized for use in steam boilers: Pre-configured relays, an access code to protect against incorrect parameterization, a BOB probe for level monitoring of the Reagent and a shortened maintenance interval ensure maximum operational reliability.
How does the SYCON BoB work?
The SYCON BoB works according to the colorimetric titration method. A water sample is automatically fed into the measuring chamber and the Reagent (H25-0.05 or H25-0.1) is added step by step. An optical sensor detects the color change and calculates the residual hardness of the water.
The integrated BOB sensor continuously monitors the fill level of the indicator bottle. As soon as the remaining content is sufficient for less than 72 hours of operation (approx. 12 % fill level), a BOB message is issued via relay 2 and the display. This ensures that the indicator supply is replenished in good time.
The analysis time is approx. 3 minutes with an indicator consumption of only 0.05 ml per analysis. Up to 10,000 analyses are possible with a 500 ml bottle.
Special features compared to the other SYCON models
Feature
SYCON BoB
SYCON 2702/2802
TÜV certification (WÜV 100)
Yes
–
BOB probe (72h level monitoring)
Yes
–
Access code
Yes
–
Preconfigured relays
Yes (standardized wiring)
Freely configurable
Indicator selection
H25-0.05 or H25-0.1 (fixed)
All H25/C25 Reagents
Maintenance interval
12 months / 15,000 analyses
24 months / 30,000 analyses
External analysis start
– (not possible)
Yes
Advantages of the SYCON BoB
TÜV-certified according to VdTÜV data sheet WÜV 100
Meets the legal requirements for the unattended operation of steam boiler systems
72-hour BOB operation with fill level monitoring
The BOB probe signals in good time when the indicator supply needs to be replenished – can be extended to up to 144 hours with a longer measuring interval
Access code to protect against incorrect parameterization
Locks access to critical settings during unattended operation
Preconfigured relays for standardized installation
Limit value, BOB message, device fault, analysis active – Terminal diagram can be created in advance
RS485 interface with Modbus RTU
Integration into the boiler control system and higher-level control systems
Analog output 0/4-20 mA
Direct transmission of measured values to the system controller
Robust housing (IP54, IK08)
Suitable for the harsh environmental conditions in the boiler house
Full color sensor with automatic zero adjustment
Zero sample before every measurement – automatic compensation for ambient light, contamination and turbidity, no manual calibration needed
Very low indicator consumption
0.05 ml per analysis – up to 10,000 analyses per 500 ml bottle
Field of application
The SYCON BoB is specially designed for use in steam boilers:
Area of application
Description
Steam boiler systems
Continuous monitoring of the residual hardness in the boiler feed water – TÜV-certified for 72-hour operation without supervision in accordance with WÜV 100
Condensate return
Monitoring the returning condensate for hardness breakthroughs – an increase in hardness indicates leaks in the heat exchanger
Full softening for steam generators
Monitoring of the softening system in the sensitive range up to 0.05 °dH – the limit value is adapted to the strict requirements in the steam boiler sector
Requirements for the sample water
Parameters
Requirement
pH value
4-10
Iron (Fe)
< 3 ppm
Copper (Cu)
< 0.2 ppm
Aluminum (Al)
< 0.1 ppm
Manganese (Mn)
< 0.2 ppm
Acid capacity KS 4.3
< 5 mmol/l
Characteristics
Clear, colorless, free of solids, free of gas bubbles
Maintenance
The SYCON BoB is subject to a shortened maintenance interval in order to meet the high requirements in the steam boiler sector:
Interval
Measure
Every 6 months
Cleaning the measuring chamber
Every 15,000 analyses or 12 months
Installation of the maintenance set: Replacement of the peristaltic pump cassette, seals and agitator blades
Installation and commissioning
Mount the device on a dry, easily accessible wall – Use mounting brackets
Make water connections: Inlet and outlet via 6 mm hose
Electrical connections: Supply voltage, 4 relay outputs, analog output, RS485, 2 digital inputs
Insert Reagent (H25-0.05 or H25-0.1), connect BOB probe
Start the installation wizard – Enter the access code (factory setting: 2802)
Start the first analysis run and check the measured value
Tip for BOB operation
With an analysis interval of 10 minutes instead of 5 minutes, the BOB period is extended from 72 to 144 hours – with the same indicator quantity. The maximum number of analyses in the BOB period is 864 analyses.
Important notes
For indoor use and wall mounting only
Only the Reagents H25-0.05 and H25-0.1 are permitted in the SYCON BoB
The BOB sensor must be connected correctly before switching on (error E15 if not connected)
External analysis start is not possible with SYCON BoB
Free, short drain without back pressure required
Oxidizing agents (chlorine, ozone) above the drinking water limit values impair the measurement
Install maintenance set (item no. 33-030099) every 12 months or 15,000 analyzes
Clean the measuring chamber every 6 months – use SYCON Clean (item no. 30-010900)
Reagents and limit values
Reagent
Limit value (°dH)
Limit value (mmol/l)
Item no.
H25-0,05
0,025
0,005
32-084125
H25-0.1 (preset)
0,05
0,01
32-084135
Only these two Reagents are approved for the SYCON BoB.
Specifications at a glance
Property
Value
Measuring principle
Colorimetric titration method
Parameters
Residual hardness (total hardness)
Certification
VdTÜV leaflet WÜV 100 – Operation without supervision (72 h)
Reagent H25-0.05
Limit value 0.025 °dH / 0.005 mmol/l
Reagent H25-0.1
Limit value 0.05 °dH / 0.01 mmol/l
Units
°dH, °f, ppm CaCO₃, mmol/l, °e, °Ж
Accuracy
± 5 %
Analysis time
approx. 3 minutes
Indicator consumption
approx. 0.05 ml per analysis
Analyses per 500 ml bottle
up to 10.000
Water consumption
approx. 1 l per analysis at 2 bar
Durability Reagent
at least 2 years (stored at < 25 °C, in the dark)
BOB operation
Analysis interval
BOB period
5 minutes (standard)
72 hours
7 minutes
96 hours
9 minutes
120 hours
10 minutes
144 hours
At a residual level of approx. 12 % (corresponds to 864 analyses), the BOB probe signals via relay 2 and the display that the Reagent needs to be topped up.
Electrical data
Property
Value
Supply voltage (230 V version)
100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz
Supply voltage (24 V version)
21.6-26.4 V AC/DC, 50 Hz
Power consumption
25 VA (operation) / 3.5 VA (standby)
Relay 1
Limit value (programmable)
Relay 2
BOB message (indicator level < 72 h)
Relay 3
Device fault / device switched off
Relay 4
Analysis active / sample pump / cooling water valve
Analog output
0-20 mA or 4-20 mA, resolution < 100 µA, max. 750 Ω Load
Note: In the SYCON BoB, only the Reagents H25-0.05 and H25-0.1 are approved. These cover the limit values for soft w ater valid in the steam boiler area.
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