Abstract
The successful operation of high-pressure steam generating plant depends on many factors, one of which is the maintenance of a high standard of purity in the feed water. Contamination of the feed water by ingress of hardness salts from condenser tube failures is therefore serious. Early in the operational life of the three 120 MW units at Kincardine it was found that aluminium brass was an unsuitable alloy for the condenser tubes: corrosion was widespread and tube failures were a regular occurrence. The investigations made to determine the cause of failure and to provide a more suitable alloy for tube replacement are described. However, it was impractical to retube the condensers completely. Aluminium brass tubes which have given satisfactory service are generally found to have protective films rich in iron oxides. The condenser tubes at Kincardine did not have an iron oxide film nor did the cooling water contain any appreciable iron. Ferrous sulphate was added to the cooling water to provide iron and the effects and cost of conditioning are described.
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