In power plant operations, water and steam quality are key to equipment reliability. The most critical chemical parameter to monitor is Dissolved Oxygen (DO).
Fatal Impacts of High Dissolved Oxygen Levels
Dissolved oxygen exceeding standard limits in the water and steam cycle can systematically damage system integrity:
1. Oxidative Corrosion: Oxygen reacts directly with metal (carbon steel) to form iron oxide. This results in massive material thinning in pipes and boiler components.
2. Pitting Corrosion: The most dangerous impact due to its localized and focused nature. This corrosion creates small holes that:
• Are difficult to detect visually.
• Develop very quickly through the pipe wall.
• Trigger sudden leaks without warning.
3. Economizer & Feedwater Line Damage: Medium-temperature areas such as the economizer are highly susceptible to oxygen. Failure to control DO results in tube failure and unplanned shutdowns.
4. Chemical Cost: High DO levels force the excessive use of oxygen scavengers (such as hydrazine). This increases operational costs and risks disrupting other water chemistry balances.
5. Magnetite Layer Instability: In water treatment programs such as AVT (All Volatile Treatment), DO levels must be very low. High DO damages the magnetite layer (a natural protective layer for metal), thereby losing the system's long-term protection against corrosion.
6. Forced Outage Risk: The accumulation of the points above results in a forced shutdown. The significant repair costs and loss of revenue due to the interruption of electricity production are very serious financial consequences.
High dissolved oxygen levels are not just numbers on a lab report, but rather an indication of impending system failure. Accurate monitoring with a DO analyzer, combined with optimal deaerator control, is a mandatory investment to maintain plant reliability.
Need a reliable dissolved oxygen monitoring solution? We provide cutting-edge DO analyzer technology with full technical support that meets industry standards. Ensure your pure water and steam treatment systems are operating at peak performance with us. Please contact : Hyprowira Adhitama Laboratory
