According to maintenance guidelines, above what polymer feed rate should it never be necessary to increase?

In the context of water and fuel systems maintenance, polymer feed rate is crucial for the effective operation of systems that rely on polymer dosing for purposes such as flocculation or coagulation. The guidelines indicate that maintaining a polymer feed rate above a certain threshold—specifically, a feed rate of 5—is unnecessary and potentially detrimental to system performance.

Setting the limit at 5 prevents over-dosing, which can lead to various complications such as increased costs, compromised system efficiency, and potential negative impacts on the quality of treated water or fuel. Excessive polymer usage can also result in downstream issues, including the formation of "sludge" that can complicate treatment processes and cause additional maintenance challenges.

By adhering to a maximum feed rate of 5, operators can maintain optimal performance in their systems, ensuring that the processes function as designed without unnecessary complications or costs associated with higher polymer usage. This is why the recommendation is clear: it is never necessary to increase the polymer feed rate beyond this threshold.