steam drum
steam drum
(OP)
Dear All,
Of late two steam drums in boilers of our power plant have shown cracks during RLI. Can the forum throw some light on the possible reasons for cracks in steam drum and how to go about a preliminary investigation.
Thanks
Of late two steam drums in boilers of our power plant have shown cracks during RLI. Can the forum throw some light on the possible reasons for cracks in steam drum and how to go about a preliminary investigation.
Thanks





RE: steam drum
Does the unit see much cycling?
RE: steam drum
If you are unsure I would investigate the H2O quality. I would look for CO which would be a likely cause of corosion, erosion, or cracking. You could take some test of your water (PH,CO,O2,etc) to determine if your water treatment is working correctly.
RE: steam drum
The cracking is associated with both high temperature steam and lower temperature water carrying components. The failure mechanisms of stress rupture and fatigue are associated with the high temperature components, while fatigue due to thermal shock and/or corrosion are applicable to steam drum and lower temperature (water carrying) headers.
Stress corrosion cracking of boiler components is a well known phenomenon and is easily controlled by the use of proper water chemistry during boiler operation. Occasionally water chemistry can go astray and stress corrosion cracking can occur
Check your water quality
Make ndt testing such as magnetoscopy and TOFD
Make metallographic replicas
luismarques
RE: steam drum