Natural gas tank – illustrative photo.
Prague – In recent weeks, service companies have started to register cases of more frequent clogging of gas boilers with impurities. Technicians have recorded dozens of such cases so far. According to them, producers attribute this mainly to the change in gas imports. The consequence of clogging can be both a worse calorific value of the boilers and, possibly, their damage. At the same time, the quality of the gas itself should correspond to the standards. This follows from current information from companies for ČTK. They therefore recommend to customers regular maintenance of their boilers and possibly even more frequent cleaning.
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The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO) has also received several dozen complaints about clogging of gas boilers and, in some cases, their damage in recent days, Minister Jozef Síkela (for STAN) said on Monday. According to him, no anomalies in its composition were detected during checks on the entry of gas into the Czech Republic. The matter is now being resolved with the Czech Gas Association, the company Net4gas, which ensures the transportation of natural gas through the Czech Republic, and also the Energy Regulatory Office.
According to the information of the technicians, several dozen cases of contamination of appliances with impurities have been reported throughout the country. The Czech Gas Association pointed out that impurities mainly settle on copper installations, but it is not yet a widespread problem. “The investigation of the distribution companies confirmed that impurities in the form of copper sulfide do not enter the gas pipeline's sampling point, but are only formed at the sampling points,” the union said in a report received by the Seplyko service company. However, according to the association, the quality of the gas meets the standards. At the same time, the association recommended the inspection and cleaning of all screens and filters or the additional installation of new filters.
“We have information from manufacturers that these cases are increasing,” Martin Šácha from Plynoservis Jílek told ČTK. According to him, the consequence of clogging of boilers is often, for example, a lower calorific value. He identified atmospheric boilers as the most risky in this respect, which can make it harder to heat when some parts of the boiler become clogged and, in addition, emit fumes. At the same time, however, he pointed out that cases may differ depending on how individual customers maintain their boilers. According to him, with regular inspections, possible problems can be detected in time, which prevents damage to the boilers.
The Jirsakservis company has not yet encountered similar cases, but it has also received reports from manufacturers about their possible occurrence. According to her, it is mainly deposits in the gas pipeline that mainly clog the valves. In addition to cleaning, he also sees the possible replacement of some parts or the installation of a filter as a solution.
No more Russian gas is imported into the Czech Republic. Hospodářské noviny reported last week that the gas heading to the Czech Republic from the West contains more hydrogen sulfide. For some boilers, this can allegedly lead to damage, the repair will cost thousands of crowns. The gas that households and companies now buy comes from Norway and LNG terminals.
