Understanding the Challenges in HRSG Water and Steam Monitoring

However, as many HRSGs operate at high temperatures and pressures, harsh conditions can transform seemingly minor chemistry upsets into major problems.

When working with these units, outages and employee safety are two primary concerns of poor water/steam chemistry.

Online water/steam chemistry monitoring is critical not only for normal chemistry control but also to detect upsets. However, if samples are not extracted and conditioned properly, the data may give false indications of actual conditions in the unit.

A new article in Hydrocarbon Processing examines three primary issues regarding HRSG water/steam monitoring. In it, you’ll learn about:

• Selecting the critical measurements to monitor normal operating conditions, establish chemical feed control to maintain normality, and detect chemistry upsets.
• The extreme importance of proper sample extraction and conditioning to ensure that online instrument data is accurate.
• The benefits of iron monitoring are particularly important for tracking flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC), which can serious accidents. These measurements provide direct data on the efficacy of steam generator chemical treatment programs.

Combined cycle power generation has evolved into a bridge technology as the US, and much of the world, transition away from coal-fired units to renewables and other low-carbon technologies. HRSGs are an important part of combined cycle plants, where diligent monitoring and control of water/steam chemistry is essential for reliable operation.

Read more at “HRSG Water/Steam Sampling: Do It Right or Face Potential Consequences” in Hydrocarbon Processing by John Powalisz, Director of Business Development at Sentry Equipment, and Brad Buecker from ChemTreat.