Caustic corrosion in boilers
|Concentration of caustic (NaOH) can occur as a result of steam blanketing (which allow salts to concentrate on boiler metal surface) or by localized boiling beneath porous deposits on tube surface. Caustic corrosion occurs when caustic is concentrated and dissolves the protective magnetite (Fe3O4) layer, causing a loss of base metal and eventual failure. |
The following conditions appear to be necessary for this type of cracking to occur :
1. The metal must be stressed,
2. the boiler-water must contain caustic,
3. at least a trace of silica must be present in the boiler-water, and
4. some mechanisms, such as a slight leak, must be present to allow the boiler water to concentrate on the stressed metal.
Stem blanketing is a condition that occurs when a steam layer forms between the boiler water and the tube wall. Under this condition, insufficient water reaches the tube surface for efficient heat transfer. The water that reaches the overheated boiler wall is rapidly vaporized, leaving behind a concentrated caustic solution, which is corrosive.
Boiler feed water systems using demineralized or evaporated make up or pure condensate may be protected from caustic attack through coordinated phosphate/pH control. Phosphate buffers the boiler water, reducing the chance of large pH changes due to the development of high caustic concentrations. Excess caustic combines with disodium phosphate and forms trisodium phosphate, by the following reaction:
Na2HPO4 + NaOH è Na3PO4 + H2O
This results in the prevention of caustic buildup beneath deposits or within a crevice where leakage is occurring.
|Find information about the main problems occurring in boilers: scaling, foaming and priming, and corrosion. |
For a description of the characteristics of the ideal boiler water click here.
Check also our web page about boiler feed water and boiler water treatment, in particular through deaeration (deaerating heaters or membrane contractors).