PROCESS ANALYTICS

Boiler Feed Water Circuits

Boiler feed water is the essential medium for all steam turbines. The feed water is prepared by reverse osmosis and ion exchangers. Within the boiler, it is transferred to water steam to drive the turbines. Feed water must be very pure to prevent any corrosion and incrustations within the turbine. A damage of the turbine is the most cost intensive accident within a conventional power plant.

Energy

Keyfacts Application

Sector

Boiler feed water circuits

Application

3 Applications (1. Checking dissolved Oxygen DO, 2. Checking pH and Conductivity, 3. Checking Conductivity) at several measuring locations

Measured Parameter

pH, Cond and DO

Key Requirements

Low ion concentration

Dual conductivity measurement to accurately calculate pH

Measuring in Boiler Feed Water, Steam and Condensate

Application Description

Criteria for the purity of the feed water/ condensate are conductivity, pH, and dissolved oxygen. In the schematic you find the typical measuring locations for dissolved oxygen, specific conductivity (SC), cation conductivity (CC), degassed acid conductivity (DAC) and pH. If the condensate return does not meet the specification, it needs to be discharged. pH and conductivity are the essential parameters of the boiler feed water before entering the turbine.

In most cases, dual conductivity measurements are used to calculate pH and specific conductivity. pH and conductivity are the essential parameters of condensate (after passing the turbine). Usually dual channel conductivity measurements are used to calculate pH, specific conductivity (SC), cation conductivity (CA) and degassed acid conductivity (DAC).

Since CO₂ from the air may enhance the conductivity, the degassed conductivity is an important criterium for the purity.

Requirements of Application

The challenge is based on the low ion concentration of the medium, which requires a double conductivity measurement to accurately calculate the pH value.

Why Knick ?
The challenge of the application is the low ion concentration and typically amine is dosed for avoiding corrosion. Amine dosing based on conductivity is not easily possible – pH monitoring is also required, which is difficult due to the low ion content. Therefore, a better approach is to accurately calculate pH based on the dual conductivity measurement. Stratos Multi is the perfect fit for this application, as the dual conductivity measurement can easily be combined with a DO measurement for ideal process monitoring.

Matching Products

SE740 Optical Oxygen Sensor | M12 (8 pins) | 325 mm | For demanding hygienic environments

Product number:

SE740/3

ARF200 Flow-Through Fitting | Stainless steel or Hastelloy C22 | One sensor | Process connection via cutting ring coupling

Product number:

ARF200

Stratos Multi E401N Multiparameter Transmitter | Memosens/Analog Sensors | 2-Channel | 4x 4…20 mA Outputs

Product number:

E401N.020

SE604 2-Electrode Conductivity Sensor | Memosens | Measuring range from ultrapure water to 500 μS/cm

Product number:

SE604-MS

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