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Title: Performance of stainless steel tubes in condensers associated with cooling towers

Journal Article · · J. Mater. Energy Syst.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02833404· OSTI ID:5958576

Bechtel Power Corporation carried out two studies on steam plant surface condenser leakage for the Electric Power Research Institute. The results of the first study indicated that there was a greater than 90 pct probability that stainless steel tubes would provide a 40-year life with less than 2 pct of the tubes plugged in once through cooling systems utilizing fresh water. However, there was concern that this data might be misleading since corrosion had occurred on some tubes. The second study covered a larger sample limited to those operating on recirculating water cooled by cooling towers having fresh water makeup. The results indicated that Types 304 and 316 perform well with a greater than 90 pct probability of a 40-year life with few tubes, if any, having to be plugged because of corrosion.

Research Organization:
Bechtel Power Company, P.O. Box 3965, San Francisco, CA 94119
OSTI ID:
5958576
Journal Information:
J. Mater. Energy Syst.; (United States), Vol. 4:3
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English