Prediction and prevention of boiler tubing systems erosion in thermal plant

The problem of boiler tube erosion is a very complex problem and present in practically all fossil fuel power plants burning low heating value coals irrespective of their particular design and operating characteristics. Predicting the rate of material degradation processes due to operating conditions is the essential feature for assessing the remaining lifetime. This clearly includes the knowledge of the type and kinetics of erosion phenomenon. In order to follow the erosion process and provide a reliable prediction of erosion rate and thus tube time to failure, models taking into account all relevant effects have to be developed. In this paper the is presented results of testing carried out on the evaporator hopper tubes of 350MW unit exposed to erosion and were used to assess their remaining life