4313 Nebraska Court
Pomfret, MD 20675
USA
Phone: (301) 934-5605
Fax: (301) 934-5606
Copyright (c) 2012 Jonas, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Steam Turbine Deposit Collector/Simulator
A simple inexpensive device located outside the turbine, for the collection of exfoliated oxides and deposits representative
of deposition inside the turbine. The collected deposits are analyzed to predict deposition and corrosion inside the turbine,
and to assess boiler carry-over and the effects of steam and water chemistry upsets.
The optional flow totalizer allows the average
concentration of impurities to be determined.
Turbine deposits can cause corrosion of blades, rotors, and discs, reduction of turbine efficiency and MW generating capacity, and
malfunction of valves and seals. It is estimated that more than 50% of U.S. utility and industrial turbines have an accumulation
of harmful deposits. It is almost impossible to evaluate turbine deposition without an expensive and time consuming turbine
disassembly. When turbines are opened for inspection or due to forced outages, it may be too late to prevent damage. Without
a chemical analysis of the deposits, evaluation of the sources of impurities is difficult.
The Deposit Collector/Simulator was
developed by Jonas, Inc. to allow:
- testing chemistry effects during commissioning of new and rebuilt units
- determination
of the effects of water chemistry upsets on steam chemistry and deposition in LP turbines
- root cause analysis of copper and phosphate
deposition in HP turbines leading to MW and efficiency losses
- collection of samples of exfoliated oxides which lead to solid particle
erosion
- evaluation of composition and morphology, and determination of the time and type of operation when impurities are transported
into the turbine
A filter-like device (Figure 1) which simulates the turbine conditions governing deposition from superheated steam and can be installed
anywhere in piping or a turbine. The Deposit Collector/Simulator is accessible during operation and its filter elements can
be periodically replaced. The deposits are collected from superheated steam flowing through the Collector at approximately 40
lb/hr. The collection time depends on the concentration of impurities. Typically, the collection time is between 1 and
14 days. With the use of the Flow Totalizer, the approximate average concentration of impurities in steam can be determined.
Pressure Range: Up to 3000 psig
Temperature Range: Up to 900 F
Attachment: Welded or Swagelok connections
Collection
Time: 1 to 14 days
Figure 1. Turbine Deposit Collector/Simulator
An example of a deposit formed on the Collector Filters, and its SEM and elemental analysis by EDS are shown in Figure 2. After
exposure to steam, the weight and chemical nature of the accumulated impurities are determined. The recommended analyses include
EDS, optical and SEM microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and wet chemistry methods.
Figure 2. SEM and EDS Analysis of Impurities obtained in
Deposit Collector/Simulator
Consists of a Flow Totalizer with LCD display and a Thermal Shutoff Valve. The steam is condensed and the Totalizer measures
both the average flow rate and total flow over the length of the test. This data can then be used to determine the average concentration
of impurities in the steam.
Serving the power industry since 1983
Specializing in Sampling and Instrumentation, Corrosion,
Water and Steam Chemistry, and Failure Analysis
