Peckett
Mechanical
- May 6, 2002
- 29
Hi all,
We have two 30 year old thermal oil steam generators that we are looking at replacing. One has cracking on the furnace tubes, and we are concerned about the remaining life of the other boiler.
We have had the cracks analysed and it appears to be thermal fatigue cracking. The cracks grow from both the inside and the outside, and the cracks on the outside (fireside) have grown the most. There is a layer of carbon on the inside surface of the tubes. This will reduce the heat transfer and may lead to overheating of the tubes.
I have a couple of queries:
1. Does anyone have experience on these boilers, and their life.
2. Any advice on determining the remaining life of the boilers. Can we use FFS standards such as API 579?
3. Any advice on likely efficiency of these type of steam generators vs a direct fired steam boiler. This will help assess the benefits of replacing the steam generators with a boiler.
Thanks for any advice.
Chris
We have two 30 year old thermal oil steam generators that we are looking at replacing. One has cracking on the furnace tubes, and we are concerned about the remaining life of the other boiler.
We have had the cracks analysed and it appears to be thermal fatigue cracking. The cracks grow from both the inside and the outside, and the cracks on the outside (fireside) have grown the most. There is a layer of carbon on the inside surface of the tubes. This will reduce the heat transfer and may lead to overheating of the tubes.
I have a couple of queries:
1. Does anyone have experience on these boilers, and their life.
2. Any advice on determining the remaining life of the boilers. Can we use FFS standards such as API 579?
3. Any advice on likely efficiency of these type of steam generators vs a direct fired steam boiler. This will help assess the benefits of replacing the steam generators with a boiler.
Thanks for any advice.
Chris
