Boilers Flashcards
State the reasons for boiler water treatment.
The reason we carryout boiler treatment is to ensure that the boiler can produce a high quality of steam. Treatment is also used to make sure there is a continuous heat exchange while also providing corrosion protection.
State the reasons for conducting each of the following boiler water tests and describe how the tests are conducted :
Alkalinity to Phenolphthalein;
This can cause high residual stress which will lead to the steel to crack. To test do the following;
Take 100ml of filtered sample boiler water
Add 10 drops of phenolphthalein (will turn pink if alkaline)
Add drops of N/50 standard solution of sulphuric acid until sample turns clear.
Ml of sulphuric acid used x 10= p.p.m of alkalinity
State the reasons for conducting each of the following boiler water tests and describe how the tests are conducted :
Chlorides Tests
This test is to check how much chloride salt is within the boiler and feed water system. Using the same sample remaining from the P Alkalinity test, carryout the follow to test for chlorides;
Add 2ml of N/50 sulphuric acid
Add 20 drops of potassium chromate indicator (turn a pale yellow)
Add drops of N/35.5 standard solution of silver nitrate (whole sample becomes reddish-brown)
Ml of silver nitrate used x 10= p.p.m chlorides
State the reasons for conducting each of the following boiler water tests and describe how the tests are conducted :
Phosphate reserve.
This is used to react with scale forming salts to produce non-adhering sludge. It also reacts with sodium hydroxide to increase alkalinity. Take two samples of boiler water
20ml sample of boiler water
Add equivalent amount of vanadomolybdate reagent and fill one tube with the sample
Fill the other tube with an equivalent mixture of pure distilled water and the reagent
If phosphate is present, then sample will turn yellow
colour is measured against a shade disk = p.p.m phosphate
Sketch a section through an ESD III roof fired boiler, clearly indicate on the diagram:
i) the gas flow from furnace to above economiser;
ii) the gas temperatures to be expected at various point from the furnace to above the economiser.
163
440
1100
1316
Describe the function and purpose of each of the following:
i) Downcomer tubes;
The downcomers are external to the furnace and take boiler water from the steam drum back down to the water drum within the boiler allowing the circulation of the system.
Describe the function and purpose of each of the following:
Steam drum;
The steam drum holds both water and steam. The water enters the steam drum from the feed water for the economizer and circulates the system. Steam is the generated and leaves at the top to be passed via the superheater and leave the boiler
Describe the function and purpose of each of the following:
iii) Riser tubes.
The riser tubes allow the water and steam to go from the water drum into the steam drum to allow the water and steam to circulate the system.
Describe with the aid of a sketch a water level indicator that utilises a “differential pressure” cell to provide a remote reading.
This is known as Igema remote water level indicator. The lower section of the U tube contains a red fluid which has a greater density than water.
As the water level falls ‘h’ will be reduced and ‘x’ and ‘H’ will increase. Water in the condenser reservoir being maintained by condensing steam.
As the water level rises ‘h’ will increase and ‘x’ and ‘H’ will reduce. Allowing water to flow over the weir in the condenser reservoir to maintain a constant level.
State the precautions that should be taken to protect the device when first putting it into service.
Make sure the device can withstand the boiler pressure it will be fitted onto.
Explain what is meant by the term “swell and shrinkage” as applied to boiler water level control.
Increasing the load will cause an increase in steam bubbles. This will displace the water, causing the level within the drum to rises. This will also happen when demand decreases, causing the water level to drop.
Explain where a “baffle plate” may be fitted and it’s purpose;
Its located at the bottom of the steam drum and can be fitted either to direct the steam/water mix into the cyclones or to improve circulation.
Its located at the bottom of the steam drum and can be fitted either to direct the steam/water mix into the cyclones or to improve circulation.
Describe with the aid of a sketch the purpose and functionality of a “cyclone separator”;
Cyclone Separators are used to separator the steam and water mixture returning to the drum. The water swirls around creating a vortex, pushing the water to the outer edge and to the bottom and the steam outlet at the top.
state the purpose of a “dry pipe”.
Removes any water droplets from the steam leaving the drum.
With reference to boiler water test results, in EACH of the following cases state the reasons for the change in the reading:
i) Total dissolved solids and chemical reserve reducing;
Leakage below water boiler level
With reference to boiler water test results, in EACH of the following cases state the reasons for the change in the reading:
Phosphate reserve reducing, chlorides and total dissolved solids increasing;
There is a sea water leak within the system
Explain what is meant by the following terms:
i) Alkalinity.
Alkalinity is the higher end of the pH scale and can be used to neutralise the acid.
Explain what is meant by the following terms:
ii) Hardness.
The sum of of the temporary and permanents hardness salts and is an indication of the total scale forming potential of the water.
Explain what is meant by the following terms:
iii) Chlorides.
Chlorides are referred to as permanent hardness salts which include Sodium Chlorides (Common Salts) and Magnesium Chlorides.
Explain the principle of operation of the air ejector sketched at question (a).
Extracts the air from the condenser to allow vacuum to be maintained. The steam is condensed from the air by feed water passing through cooling coils. The air is released through a vacuum retaining valve. The condensate drain from the first stage passes through a sealing loop back to the condenser. The condensate drain from the second stage passes through a sealing loop to an atmospheric drain tank.
Explain the rules regarding the fitting of these devices to a boiler, identifying the difference in requirements between a boiler fitted with a superheater and a boiler without a superheater and the minimum permitted bore of a safety valve.
All boilers without a superheat should have two safety valves fitted to the main steam drum or shell. Group 2 boilers and upwards should be fitted with a third safety valve on the main steam outlet on the superheater. The bore must never be less than 38mm in diameter.
Explain what is meant by the term “blow down” when applied to safety valves.
The difference between the set pressure and the pressure at the valve closes after releasing the excess pressure.
Explain why the following are used:
i) flat seats;
Flats seats provide an equal lift, therefore the seat has a greater escape edges
Explain why the following are used:
easing gear;
Easing gear allows us to manually opening the valve to the maximum effective lift from a remote position.