Steam generator cleaning using chemical cleaning processes

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA)

OSTI ID:5197350

Olson, P M; Swift, C A

The chemical cleaning of steam generators (SGs) for the removal of tube deposits and sludge has become a widely accepted practice. Two US utilities have now applied a process developed by Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) as part of their SG maintenance program with very positive results. Several European utilities have also chemically cleaned SGs using a process developed by Krafwerk Union (KWU). A program to develop a chemically based process to remove these deposits was initiated by EPRI in 1978 under sponsorship of the Steam Generator Owners Group (SGOG). The objective of this program was to develop a generic chemical process to remove the SG sludge with minimal corrosion to SG materials. This program produced three generic solvents for use in an SG: first, an iron solvent designed primarily for removal of iron oxides; second, a copper solvent for removal of metallic copper; and a crevice-cleaning solvent for removal of corrosion products from SG crevices. The iron and copper solvents are applied in an alternating sequence. The total number of solvent applications is dependent on the sludge inventory and composition. Water rinses are used between solvent applications. This generic solvent process is made site-specific through a qualification program utilizing SG sludge to determine the most effective solvent for formulation and application sequence while maintaining the integrity of the specific SG materials. The KWU process consists of separate iron and copper solvents based on proprietary formulations applied during shutdown or startup.

• OSTI ID: 5197350
• Report Number(s): CONF-871101--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA) Journal Volume: 55:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220200 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Components & Accessories
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
BOILERS
CLEANING
CORROSION PRODUCTS
DECONTAMINATION
DEPOSITION
EPRI
MAINTENANCE
REACTOR MAINTENANCE
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SLUDGES
STEAM GENERATORS
TUBES
VAPOR GENERATORS