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Evaluation Of Corrosion Pitting In A 317L Stainless Steel Surface Condenser Tube Bundle

The power plant is a natural gas-fired, combined cycle plant with three combustion turbines and a single steam turbine. A large stainless steel surface condenser is used to condense steam off of the turbine, and provide high purity steam condensate return to the boiler system. The steam condenser was put into service approximately 15 years ago. This plant takes makeup water for its open recirculating cooling tower water system from a river location that is inland from an ocean coastal area.

Product Number: 51322-17564-SG
Author: Mel J. Esmacher, Edward R. Blessman, Kumar Kembaiyan
Publication Date: 2022
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Despite more than 15 years of operational reliability, a 317L (UNS S31703) stainless steel steam surface condenser at a power plant in the Northeastern United States was revealed to have a significant waterside pitting corrosion problem. The pitting was identified during Eddy Current testing and verified by removing sample tubes. The severe pitting in the tubes was primarily focused at the seam weld region. Possible causative factors for the pitting attack were identified. Metallography and electrochemical testing confirmed non-optimal corrosion resistance along the original laser seam welds, as compared to the base metal. Modifications to the cooling water chemistry were instigated to reduce the severity of the pitting attack in an effort to extend the service life of the condenser bundle. Re-tubing options with alternative stainless steel alloys are also discussed.

Despite more than 15 years of operational reliability, a 317L (UNS S31703) stainless steel steam surface condenser at a power plant in the Northeastern United States was revealed to have a significant waterside pitting corrosion problem. The pitting was identified during Eddy Current testing and verified by removing sample tubes. The severe pitting in the tubes was primarily focused at the seam weld region. Possible causative factors for the pitting attack were identified. Metallography and electrochemical testing confirmed non-optimal corrosion resistance along the original laser seam welds, as compared to the base metal. Modifications to the cooling water chemistry were instigated to reduce the severity of the pitting attack in an effort to extend the service life of the condenser bundle. Re-tubing options with alternative stainless steel alloys are also discussed.

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