When a deaerator problem requires more than a standard parts replacement, experience matters. Michael G. Koontz, P.E., MBA has spent more than 50 years working with deaerators, including engineering, applications, sales, equipment design, replacement equipment, and aftermarket support.
Mike’s experience covers many of the major deaerator designs and manufacturers used throughout the United States. He has worked with tray type, spray scrubber, and European spray finger deaerators and has been involved with both original equipment and aftermarket applications.
Today, Mike provides deaerator engineering and consulting services through Deaerator Solutions, helping engineers, plant personnel, and purchasers evaluate deaerator problems, replacement requirements, performance concerns, and equipment options.
More Than 50 Years of Deaerator Experience
Mike began his career in 1976 after graduating from the University of Kansas with a B.S. in Engineering. He joined Chicago Heater Company in Kansas City, where he worked in applications engineering and inside sales and was involved with the design of some of Chicago Heater’s largest deaerators.
His career has included engineering, sales, project work, equipment design, and business ownership across the deaerator industry.
Career Experience
1976 – Chicago Heater Company
Joined Chicago Heater Company following his graduation from the University of Kansas. Mike worked as an applications engineer in inside sales and was involved in the design of large deaerators.
1979 – Marley Cooling Tower Company
Moved to the Major Projects Division, where he worked on large power plant concrete hyperbolic cooling towers.
1981 – Deaerator Sales
Moved into outside sales, representing American Water Softening and Envirex deaerators.
1984 – Kansas City Equipment Company
Began working with Kansas City Equipment Company and eventually became a 50% owner. His work included representing Ecodyne and Graver Water deaerators.
1989 – Kansas City Deaerator Company
Founded Kansas City Deaerator Company, designing and supplying deaerators for customers around the world. Within two years, the company had become a significant participant in the worldwide deaerator market.
1992 – Heat Exchange Institute
Kansas City Deaerator Company worked with other deaerator manufacturers to reinstate the Heat Exchange Institute’s Deaerator Section and participated in the development and revision of deaerator specifications.
Mike’s work with the industry has included specifications addressing areas such as NACE requirements, post-weld heat treatment, X-ray requirements, corrosion allowance, and weld grinding.
1992–2026 – Heat Exchange Institute
Mike has served as president of the Heat Exchange Institute and has chaired the Deaerator Section three times. He has participated in seven revisions of the HEI deaerator specifications and is currently the longest-serving member of the HEI.
The Heat Exchange Institute maintains a dedicated Deaerator Section and publishes standards for tray type deaerators.
2010 – University of Kansas
Received a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
2014 – Deaerator Solutions
Founded Deaerator Solutions as an aftermarket supplier of replacement deaerator parts and related equipment.
2025 – Heat Exchange Institute
Became current chair of the HEI Deaerator Section.
Experience With Major Deaerator Designs
Mike’s experience includes virtually every major type of deaerator used in the United States through designing, supplying, representing, and selling equipment from major deaerator manufacturers.
His experience includes:
- Tray parallel flow deaerators
- Tray counterflow deaerators
- Spray scrubber deaerators
- European spray finger deaerators
- Deaerator replacement equipment
- Deaerator aftermarket parts
- Deaerator applications and equipment evaluation
This broad experience can be particularly valuable when the original manufacturer is no longer available, equipment documentation is incomplete, or a plant needs to determine what replacement equipment or components are appropriate for an existing deaerator.
Experience With Deaerator Manufacturers
Mike’s career has included experience with equipment associated with many deaerator manufacturers and companies, including:
- Chicago Heater Company
- Kansas City Deaerator
- Sterling Deaerator
- Crane Cochrane
- Graver
- Ecodyne
- Ecolair
- Envirex
- Permutit
- Stork
- American Water Softening
- Belco
- PMI
- HOH
- Great Lakes
- LA Water
- And others
This history gives Deaerator Solutions the ability to approach older equipment from an aftermarket perspective rather than assuming that a plant must replace an entire deaerator simply because the original manufacturer is no longer supporting it.
Deaerator Engineering and Consulting
Not every deaerator problem can be solved by ordering a replacement part.
Engineers and purchasers may need help determining:
- What type of deaerator is installed
- What replacement parts are required
- Whether existing trays or spray components can be replaced
- What information is needed to evaluate a replacement
- Whether a deaerator is operating as expected
- What may be causing a deaerator performance problem
- What information should be provided when requesting a replacement
- Whether an existing deaerator can be repaired or upgraded
- What replacement options are available when the original manufacturer is no longer supporting the equipment
Mike’s decades of experience can help customers work through these questions before committing to equipment or replacement parts.
Consulting for Engineers and Purchasers
Deaerator Solutions provides consultation for engineers, plant personnel, maintenance professionals, and purchasers who need experienced input regarding deaerator equipment.
A consultation may be useful when you are:
- Investigating a deaerator problem
- Planning a deaerator repair
- Evaluating replacement trays or spray valves
- Looking for replacement parts for an older deaerator
- Preparing a deaerator replacement specification
- Trying to identify an existing deaerator design
- Evaluating equipment from a manufacturer that is no longer available
- Determining what information is needed to obtain a replacement quote
If you have a deaerator question that requires experienced engineering or aftermarket knowledge, talk with Mike Koontz before making a major equipment decision.
Need Help With a Deaerator?
Contact Deaerator Solutions to schedule a consultation with Michael G. Koontz, P.E., MBA.
