The study of boiler saline concentrations and a determination of a more efficient boiler blowdown procedure

The importance of the feedwater problem and the meager knowledge of existing feedwater conditions make it desirable to conduct a study of boiler salines at the V.P.I. power plant. A determination of the critical concentrations of the boiler salines at various loads was to be made and an optimum operating concentration established. An investigation was to be made to determine the difference, if any, between the boiler salines taken from the steam drum and the boiler salines taken from the mud drum. A more efficient feedwater system was to be investigated. The ultimate purpose is, obviously, to improve the efficiency with which the water is used at the V.P.I. power plant. Besides the aid that such a study will be to the operators of the V.P.I. power plant, it is possible that men operating similar units elsewhere will also benefit by the information found. 1. The average concentration of total solids in the raw water was found to be 221 ppm. The average concentration of total solids in the feedwater was found to be 86 ppm. These values should be used in calculating boiler blow-down. 2. For a load of 25,000 lb./hr., carryover starts at a concentration of 4,500 ppm. Keeler Co. states that no trouble should be encountered under normal operation with a concentration of 3,500 ppm. The No. 5 Boiler can be safely operated at a concentration of 2,500 ppm. total solids. The boiler will operate at a concentration of 5,500 ppm. total solids if the load is constant. 3. A straight line relationship exists between methyl orange alkalinity and total solids. This is shown in Fig. 5. This graph should be used in the plant to convert “M. O.” to total solids. 4. Neither pH nor specific gravity should be used to control boiler saline concentration. 5. If foaming troubles are to be avoided, a method of rust removal from the feedwater must be found. 6. Boiler No. 5 should not be abused. Normal operation should involve no sudden increase in load in excess of 3,000 lb./hr. 7. Under present operating conditions, the blow-down should be reduced. 8. The proposed change should be adopted.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Power and Fuel Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Power and Fuel Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute

Year dc:date.issued

1941

Author dc:creator

• Silver, Walter Henry

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/53737

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/53737