Objective 5: Sampling and Testing Flashcards
What measuring units are typically used?
Metric units
PPM
Parts per million
What is the relationship between PPM and mg/L?
PPM x solution density = mg/L
What is the relationship between PPM and mg/L for water?
PPM = mg/L
Since water’s density is taken to be 1.0.
What are 11 Guidelines for Monitoring and Testing of Boiler Water?
- Identified critical points in the boiler system from which to take and test samples
- Time schedule for sampling and testing
- Clear, detailed procedure and interpretation for each test
- Established acceptable limits for each tested parameter
- Comparison of test results against acceptable limits
- Guidelines to maintain each tested parameter within acceptable range.
- Schedule and procedures for control chemical injections
- Acceptable training for relevant personnel
- Regular reporting procedure of results
- Forecasting steam production and corresponding make-up requirements
- Emergency troubleshooting procedures for severe excursions
What are the Typically Monitored Parameters?
- Phosphate
- Sulphite
- Alkalinity
- Total Dissolved Solids
- pH Measurement
- Chloride
- Iron
- Dissolved Oxygen
- Steam Purity
- Sampling
What is the most common method to determine Phosphate Residual in the water?
Ortho-Phosphate Test
What may be considered an acceptable Phosphate Residual?
Depending on the plant, anywhere from 2.0 mg/L (for complex equilibrium program) to 20 or 30 mg/L (for coordinated program).
Ortho-Phosphate Test
A measured amount of boiler water is mixed in a tube with specific amounts of reagents (one of which is molybdate). The water will turn a blue colour, with the depth of colour corresponding to the amount of phosphate in the water. The tube colour is then compared against standard coloured tubes, which are each marked to represent a specific mg/L or ppm of phosphate.
What instrument can be used for a more sophisticated and complete determination of all phosphate components?
Spectrophotometer
Where is the feed point for sulphite?
- Deaerator
2. Between the deaerator and the boiler
What is the typical sulphite residual maintained?
10-20 mg/L
What is the Sulphite Test Process?
- Get a fresh sample of boiler water which has had as little exposure to air as possible, cooled to room temperature
- Phenolphthalein indicator is added to the water, turning it red
- Sulphite indicator is added until the water becomes clear, indicating an acceptable pH
- Sample is titrated with potassium iodide-iodate solution until a faint permanent blue colour appears
- The mL of titrant used is multiplied by a factor
What are the 3 Alkalinity Tests?
- P Alkalinity
- M Alkalinity
- OH Alkalinity
P Alkalinity
P stands for Phenolphthalein, which is a titrating indicator that changes colour at a pH of 8.3 and used to indicate half of the carbonates plus all hydroxides in the water.
M Alkalinity
M stands for Methyl, which is a titration indicator that changes colour at a pH of 4.3 and is used to indicate the TOTAL amount of alkalinity (i.e. carbonates + hydroxides + bicarbonates) in the water.
OH Alkalinity
OH stands for Hydroxide and is a calculated alkalinity: 2P - M = OH. It gives only the amount of hydroxide alkalinity in the water and is often referred to as the caustic alkalinity.
Which Alkalinity Reading is generally used for control?
M Alkalinity
What are the methods of controlling Alkalinity?
- Adjusting Phosphate Feed
- Adding Caustic Soda
- Boiler blowdown