Safe, reliable and efficient operation of steam generating boilers and HRSGs requires the maintenance of physical and chemical conditions throughout the water/steam circuit that minimizes corrosion and deposit formation. This is especially true in the older plants that are predominate in our electricity production network. Deposition of contaminants, scaling and corrosion are the cause of many forced outages resulting in lost power generation or product output costing billions of dollars per year. Frequent blow-downs required because of excessive contaminants in the water/steam also contribute to lost production. Inadequate cycle chemistry will cause boiler tube and turbine blade/disc failures and Flow-Accelerated Corrosion (FAC) throughout the circuit.

The method chosen to control the water/steam chemistry depends on the boiler or HRSG type, water/steam circuit design, materials of construction, physical parameters (temperatures, pressures, heat fluxes, etc.) and the operating cycle of the plant. In all cases, it is essential to be able to measure the key parameters of the water/steam so that operators are able to properly manage and adjust the control method (typically chemical addition) to ensure that physical and chemical targets for the water are achieved.

The following speakers will discuss how to monitor and manage boiler water/steam physical and chemical properties in order to reduce unplanned outages, reduce operation and maintenance costs and improve unit economics. The speakers will describe the instruments and technology available for monitoring water/steam properties and chemistry with a discussion of capital and operating costs and their experience with the instruments or technologies. They may also describe the various control chemicals and technologies available with a discussion of which particular chemicals or technology is appropriate for specific boiler/HRSG types and water/steam circuits.

Joe Zimmerman, Director of Marketing and Power Industry Sales Manager at Chemtrac Systems, Inc., will present "Continuous Real-Time Corrosion Product Transport Monitoring using Particle Counter Instrumentation."  The adverse effects of "particulate" material in steam cycle waters are frequently seen throughout the power generation process. Steam cycle corrosion products (transient metal oxides) can lead to deposition and equipment failure. This presentation introduces basic technologies used for continuous detection of insoluble particles at very low concentrations. When such monitoring methods are utilized, real-time corrosion product transport measurement can be implemented as a potential parameter for controlling the power plant cycle.

Greg Thomas, Key Account Manager for Nuclear Power at Hach Ultra Analytics, will present a comparison of the long time standard amperometric technology to the new optical technology for measurement of low level dO₂ in steam cycle water. The presentation will briefly discuss amperometric and optical technology for the measurement of low level dissolved oxygen. Performance comparison data of the two technologies in steam cycle applications will be presented. Finally, comparisons along with advantages and disadvantages will be discussed.

David M. Gray, Senior Product Manager at Mettler-Toledo Thornton, Inc., will present "New Technology for Monitoring Cycle Chemistry."  He covers online analytical measurements of conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, sodium and silica. Intelligent Sensor Management incorporates digital sensors with improved performance, wider rangeability and predictive diagnostics. He will discuss how these capabilities can improve cycle chemistry monitoring while reducing maintenance.

To register for the February 21, 2013 "Hot Topic Hour" at 10:00 a.m. Central time, click on:

http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/brochures/hot_topic_hour_registration.htm.

McIlvaine Hot Topic Hour Registration