Water Impurities and Boiler Effects

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Questions and Answers

What is the effect of dissolved oxygen in water used for boilers?

  • It has no impact on corrosion rates.
  • It stabilizes metal surfaces against corrosion.
  • It promotes the formation of scale deposits.
  • It can cause pitting corrosion of steel surfaces. (correct)

How does temperature influence corrosion in boiler systems?

  • High temperatures have no effect on corrosion rates.
  • Lower temperatures facilitate electrochemical reactions.
  • Higher temperatures reduce the rate of corrosion.
  • Corrosion rates generally increase with temperature. (correct)

What is one potential consequence of carbon dioxide in boiler feed water?

  • It completely removes all dissolved minerals.
  • It enhances the stability of boiler metal.
  • It can lead to the formation of carbonate scale deposits. (correct)
  • It decreases pH, leading to less corrosive conditions.

Which of the following gases is known to have little effect on water used in boilers?

<p>Nitrogen (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can suspended solids affect boiler systems?

<p>They settle and can promote corrosion cells. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the solubility of oxygen in water as temperature increases?

<p>It decreases. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary factor contributing to high temperature corrosion in boilers?

<p>Loss of circulation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does carbonic acid play in the context of boiler feed water?

<p>It can contribute to corrosion. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of treating feed water in boilers?

<p>To remove impurities that can cause scale formation or corrosion (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component of feed water is pure and free from impurities?

<p>Condensate (B), Flash steam (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of water testing is essential for monitoring boiler water quality to prevent issues?

<p>pH Test (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical range for boiler water pH to help suppress corrosion?

<p>9.5 - 11.5 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens if feed water is not treated properly in a boiler?

<p>It may cause scale formation and increase blow down requirements (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered an impurity in feed water?

<p>Condensate (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the alkalinity of water indicate?

<p>Presence of alkaline substances like bicarbonate and carbonate (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

From which water source is makeup water typically derived?

<p>Natural bodies of water (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for using external treatment in a boiler system?

<p>To manage water impurities that exceed acceptable levels (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which combination treatment is known for its effectiveness in reducing hardness and silica in water?

<p>Hot lime-zeolite process (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of internal treatment in a boiler system?

<p>To react with impurities and prevent issues like foaming (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What material is primarily used in cation exchange softeners to replace hardness ions in water?

<p>Sodium ions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Under what conditions is internal treatment typically utilized alone?

<p>When good quality raw water and low pressures are present (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is caustic cracking primarily caused by?

<p>Water with high caustic alkalinity (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about carryover is true?

<p>Solid particles in steam from carryover can erode turbine parts. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do scale deposits affect boiler operation?

<p>They act as insulators and lower heat transfer rates. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What causes foaming in the boiler?

<p>Contaminants in the boiler water (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which minerals primarily contribute to the hardness of feed water?

<p>Calcium and Magnesium (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can result from large slugs of water carrying over with steam?

<p>Thermal and mechanical shock damage (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant risk associated with scale in the boiler?

<p>It contributes to corrosion of metal surfaces. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common cause of turbine damage in boilers?

<p>Carryover of contaminants with steam (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of adding Na3PO4 in boiler water treatment?

<p>To prevent scale (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What action should be taken if high phosphate levels are detected in boiler water?

<p>No action required (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which chemical should be added to address low alkalinity in boiler water?

<p>NaOH (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct action when dissolved solids are detected at high levels?

<p>Partial blow down and take fresh feed (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

To address the risk of caustic cracking, which chemical should be considered?

<p>Na2SO4 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If trace sources of chloride compounds are identified, what is the appropriate action to take?

<p>Trace sources of leak and rectify (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which chemical serves to condition sludge in a boiler system?

<p>Al3AlO3 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should be done when alkalinity levels are found to be high?

<p>Add sodium sulphite (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Water Impurities and Effects on Boilers

  • Salts in water can lead to scale formation and corrosion, threatening boiler integrity.
  • Contaminated feed systems often stem from saltwater intrusion via leaking condensers or evaporators.
  • Dissolved gases, especially oxygen and carbon dioxide, can cause significant corrosion; oxygen leads to pitting, while carbon dioxide creates acidic conditions.
  • Water can contain up to 9 ppm of dissolved oxygen at room temperature; solubility decreases as temperature rises.
  • Carbon dioxide in water contributes to the formation of carbonate scale when in alkaline conditions with calcium and magnesium.

Impact of Suspended Solids and Temperature

  • Suspended solids like mud, sand, and clay settle and create deposits that promote corrosion.
  • Higher temperatures accelerate corrosion rates via increased energy driving electrochemical reactions.
  • High-temperature corrosion occurs particularly when loss of circulation overheats metal in steam.

Types of Boiler Corrosion

  • Caustic cracking arises from high alkalinity water contacting unstressed steel, typically seen around leaking joints.
  • Carryover occurs when contaminants leave the boiler with steam; it can damage turbines and valve systems.
  • Scale is formed from hardness in feed water, particularly calcium and magnesium, leading to reduced heat transfer and higher metal temperatures.

Importance of Feed Water Management

  • Continuous feed water, which includes condensate, flash steam, and makeup water, is essential for steam production.
  • Makeup water often contains impurities, requiring treatment to avoid issues like scale and corrosion.
  • Feed water impurities are categorized into dissolved gases, dissolved solids, and suspended solids, each needing specific treatment.

Boiler Water Testing and Treatment Procedures

  • Regular testing of boiler water is crucial to maintain system integrity and efficiency.
  • pH testing is vital; optimal ranges (9.5 - 11.5) help suppress corrosion.
  • Alkalinity testing ensures sufficient bicarbonate, carbonate, and hydroxide levels to prevent scale formation.
  • High dissolved solids indicate a need for blowdown and fresh feed.
  • Chloride testing helps identify leaks that may need rectification.

External Treatment Methods

  • External treatment methods like softening, evaporation, and deaeration tailor feed water for specific boiler systems.
  • Cation exchange softeners replace calcium and magnesium with sodium to reduce hardness without affecting total solids.
  • The hot lime-zeolite process combines lime treatment for hardness and cation exchange to allow for comprehensive impurity reduction.

Internal Treatment Techniques

  • Internal treatment deals with impurities directly within the boiler system.
  • Used in conjunction with external treatments, it focuses on conditioning feed water hardness and preventing foaming.
  • Especially effective when boilers operate under low or moderate pressure and utilize high-quality raw water.

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