How to determine internal leakage in a turbine intercooler?
Thread Content
This post was last edited by sunjl1981 on 2013-1-6 at 21:33. Our company uses turbines with an annual processing capacity of 30,000 tons, equipped with two intercoolers. During operation, the inner tubes of these intercoolers were corroded by chlorine, resulting in leaks of chlorine. What methods can be used to detect internal leaks in the intercoolers promptly and reduce losses? # hcbbs
The intercooler has leaks at the tube sheet, as well as leaks due to damaged tubes. What is your circulating water pressure? Is it higher than or lower than the chlorine pressure? 1. If the pressure is higher than that of chlorine, the pipes or tube sheets may be damaged, allowing water to enter the chlorine area, which makes it difficult to detect this issue ； (1) Add chlorine and moisture monitoring and analysis after the stage, (2) open the outlet on the water side to reduce the circulating water pressure. 2. If the chlorine pressure is low, it is easier to detect on the water side: (1) monitoring with a pH meter, (2) monitoring with test strips by the staff on duty. Additionally, in the event of a tube sheet leak, I recommend using a double tube sheet for the intercooler, following the structure of the intercooler in 3K compressors.
1. The pressure of the cooling water must be lower than the pressure on the chlorine side. 2. Inspection personnel use potassium iodide starch test strips to check the coolant return water every half hour. (The PH test strips are not effective.) 3. Install an online ORP detector on the cooling return water pipe of each heat exchanger. (The pH meter has too poor accuracy.) 4. An online moisture analyzer should be installed on the chlorine pipeline at the turbine outlet. This post was last edited by Bu Qinghai on 2008-4-13 14:25]
PH testing of the intercooler cooling water outlet is sufficient every two hours
1. The pressure of the cooling water in each stage of the condensers is lower than the chlorine pressure in those same stages of condensers； 2. Condensate water at all levels is discharged without pressure ； 3. The condensate water outlet is equipped with an online ORP meter ； 4. The most crucial point is regular inspections.
Changes in cooling temperature due to shaft vibration of the chlorine press
1. The cooling circulating water uses pressure-free return flow, and an ORP analyzer is installed on the return pipe to monitor the free chlorine content in real time. 2. The pressure of the circulating water must be lower than that of chlorine. 3. Install a moisture analyzer on the chlorine main pipe after the cooler.
Generally, the pressure of the circulating water is kept lower than that of chlorine. The pH value of the circulating water in the intercooler is regularly monitored, or potassium iodide test strips are used to check for free chlorine in the water
The design margin for the area of the intercooler should be as large as possible. A remote pressure gauge should be installed on the water inlet side of the heat exchanger to ensure that the pressure of the circulating water is lower than that on the chlorine side; an ORP meter should be installed on the return water side to monitor the redox potential
It’s not that complicated; you just need to use your nose to guide the cooled return water, and that’s it. However, the staff involved have to walk a bit more distance.
Ensure that the water pressure is lower than that of chlorine; monitor ORP in real time – any leak will prevent chlorine from entering the water, and the ORP value will be displayed. Strengthen inspections; use pH test strips or starch-iodide test strips to monitor changes in water quality
The circulating water uses pressure-free return flow, and the pH value of the return water is measured with pH test strips