Author: anderthalbAdmin

Connecting the Dots between Steam Generator Chemistry and Fundamental Thermodynamics

Brad Buecker

Experience has shown the importance of the necessity of comprehending the thermodynamics of steam generator heat transfer to better understand the chemistry requirements. Besides the corrosion aspects of water- and steam-side impurity ingress, efficiency losses can be expensive.

To minimize efficiency losses, condenser performance should be monitored diligently and it must be ensured that cooling water chemical treatment programs are operating properly and that air in-leakage has not become excessive. Reheating improves efficiency only by a few percent, but basic thermodynamic calculations show that steam reheating and introduction of the hot reheat to the intermediate-pressure turbine and crossover to the low-pressure (LP) turbine keeps the steam significantly drier in the LP turbine, with final moisture content usually below 10 % (and thereby minimizing water droplet erosion of the last stage blades).

In this article, we make the connection between major steam generator design details (and the thermodynamic principles behind them) and condensate/steam chemistry fundamentals.

PPCHEM® 2023, 25(2), 72–78

A Low pH Excursion Exclusively in the IP Evaporator/Drum at a Combined Cycle Plant during a Start-up – Part II: Lessons Learned

Emmanuel K. Quagraine, Philip Boutin, Jordan Rothwell, Cedric Huang, Nikki L. Wirtz, Jackie Sliva, Kellsey Hamel, Dwayne Selensky, Amy Tetlock, and Pratik Pansuriya

This is the second of a two-part article on a low pH excursion which occurred exclusively in the intermediate-pressure (IP) evaporator/drum of a combined cycle plant, with the other circuits (low-pressure (LP) and high-pressure (HP)) showing normal pH. This is an odd situation, and the first half of the article explains how this was possible. Part II however describes how this unexpected situation confounded interpretations of the plant’s on-line instrumentation readings and the decision-making based on this data, which led to delays and inadequate response to the low pH excursion. A lot of confusion and uncertainties around pH readings were experienced and the causes have been identified. The plant also experienced a protracted period to clear the contaminant and attain desired steam purity for operation, the reasons for which are discussed. Lessons learnt and recommendations are also given to ensure early leak detection, prevention, or proper response to such pH excursions in the future.

PPCHEM® 2023, 25(2), 82–97

On the Usefulness of Bypass Clean-up Systems

Volker Ender and Jens Weber

Instead of a simple water exchange, another possible method to correct the water quality in circulation systems is the method of bypass clean-up. To estimate the efficiency of a bypass clean-up, one must consider the inner efficiency as well as the outer efficiency. The inner efficiency is influenced exclusively by the method of cleaning being used, while the outer efficiency is ultimately decisive for an efficient application of bypass clean-up systems. The outer efficiency is determined by the relation between the different rate constants of the various processes which contribute to the decrease (or increase) in the concentration of the water constituents under consideration. Hence, one can find applications where a bypass clean-up can have high efficiencies, but there are also cases in which only low overall efficiencies may be achieved, despite high inner efficiencies. Using the framework presented here, it should be possible to estimate the effects on a theoretical basis.

PPCHEM® 2023, 25(2), 100–105

IAPWS Film Forming Substances (FFS) Conference, FFS2023 Highlights and Press Release

The sixth IAPWS FFS International Conference was held on the 21st–23rd March 2023 in Prato, Italy chaired by Barry Dooley of Structural Integrity Associates, UK and David Addison of Thermal Chemistry, New Zealand. The FFS conferences are unique on a narrow topic in cycle chemistry control of power plants and steam generating facilities. In 2023 the conference attracted 70 participants from 28 countries which included 20 plant operators / users and representatives from 11 FFS chemical suppliers.

The FFS conferences are developed and supported by the International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam (IAPWS), and FFS2023 was arranged in Prato by Mecca Concepts, Australia and Combined Cycle Journal, USA. The sponsors of FFS2023 were Kurita Europe GmbH, Nalco Water an Ecolab Company and Termanox Water Treatment Solutions.

PPCHEM® 2023, 25(2), 108–109

Remember the 3Ds of Alkalizing Amines: Dissociation, Distribution, and Decomposition

Brad Buecker and Steve Shulder

Carbon steel corrosion control of condensate lines, feedwater piping, and boiler internals is critically important in all steam generation applications. A key corrosion control aspect is establishing and maintaining a mildly alkaline pH throughout these networks. Organicbased alkalizing amines have a place in lower- and intermediate-pressure boilers, industrial plant condensate-return systems, and nuclear power plant secondary cycles. However, careful evaluation and research is needed when selecting a program. This article examines the “3Ds” of alkalizing amines, dissociation, distribution, and decomposition, and how these properties influence the selection of the compounds for controlling condensate and feedwater chemistry. Dissociation and distribution are equilibrium or reversible reactions while decomposition is irreversible. The article examines these properties for high-pressure utility units and offers some comparisons/contrasts for lower-pressure industrial systems, which often have extensive steam and condensate-return networks.

PPCHEM® 2023, 25(1), 4–13

A Low pH Excursion Exclusive to the IP Evaporator/Drum at a Combined Cycle Plant during a Start-up – Part I: Contamination Pathway

Emmanuel K. Quagraine, Philip Boutin, Jordan Rothwell, Cedric Huang, Nikki L. Wirtz, Jackie Sliva, Kellsey Hamel, Dwayne Selensky, Amy Tetlock, and Pratik Pansuriya

This is the first of a two-part article on the investigation of a low pH excursion which occurred exclusively in the intermediate-pressure (IP) evaporator/drum of a combined cycle plant at a start-up. The selective contamination occurred as glycol from closed-circuit cooling water (CCCW). The proposed contamination route is via a boiler feed pump (BFP), specifically O-ring seals separating the CCCW from the feedwater. The estimated leak rate is 8.0–22.9 mL ⋅ h–1, which is sufficient to cause the pH excursion. At start-up, the BFP would have charged the IP (and not the high-pressure (HP)) circuit line with water whilst in recirculation mode; this was later used to fill the IP drum. The HP drum was filled an hour later. Thus, accumulated glycol that leaked into the pump casing would have been pumped more exclusively into the IP circuit, resulting in the selective contamination. Through recirculation, glycol that potentially entered the low-pressure circuit, eventually feeding the HP circuit, would have been sufficiently diluted to prevent such an excursion in these two corresponding evaporators/drums.

PPCHEM® 2023, 25(1), 16–34

Some Basics of Power Plant Chemistry – Corrosion and Deposition

Frank Udo Leidich

Undesired corrosion and deposition reduce the lifetime of a power plant or its specific components. Even before a component in the water/steam cycle (WSC) is damaged or destroyed, economic damage has already been caused in terms of a reduction in efficiency, deterioration in availability, and increased maintenance and repair costs. In order to limit corrosion and deposition to acceptable levels, monitoring and control of the physico-chemical parameters of the working media is necessary. It is also necessary to purify (treat) the working medium (water/steam) and add chemicals suitable for reducing corrosion reactions and deposit formation on the components and parts of the WSC. This paper gives an overview of the different types of corrosion, where they occur in the WSC, and the potential hazards they pose. The most widespread deposits, their composition, impact, and origin are also discussed.

PPCHEM® 2023, 25(1), 38–50

2022’s Scientific and Technical Contributions

PPCHEM® 2023, 25(1), 52–59