INTRODUCTION TO SWAS

STEAM AND WATER ANALYSIS

SYSTEM
CONTENTS:
• SWAS
• Sampling Conditioning/ Wet Panel
• Schematic Diagram of Sample Inlet
• Important Equipments of Sample System
Sample Analysis
• pH Analyzer
• Conductivity Analyzer
• Silica Analyzer
• DO Analyzer
• Phosphate Analyzer
SWAS
• Steam and water analysis system (SWAS )
is a system dedicated to the analysis of 
steam or water. In power stations, it is usually used
to analyze boiler steam and water to ensure the
water used to generate electricity is clean from
impurities which can cause corrosion to any metallic
surface, such as in boiler and turbine.
In any power plant running on steam, the purity
of boiler feed water and steam is absolutely
crucial; especially to steam turbine, steam boiler,
super heater, condenser and other steam
equipment. To prevent damage of steam turbine,
steam boiler and other apparatus due to scaling
and corrosion, on line steam and water analysis
of critical parameters such as pH, Conductivity,
Dissolved Oxygen, Silica, Sodium, Phosphate etc.
is a must. The steam can be as hot as 560°[Link]
pressures can be as high as 250 bar. To keep the
power plant up and running, with minimum
erosion and corrosion of steam turbine, steam
boiler and condenser.
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF SAMPLE INLET
WET PANEL
 To protect these equipments SWAB works in to stages:-
1. Sample Conditioning
2. Sample Analysis

SAMPLING CONDITIONING /WET

PANEL
The Sample is First cooled in Sample Coolers, depressurized
in pressure regulators and then fed to various analyzers while
keeping the flow characteristics constant by means of a Back
Pressure Regulating Device. There are a lots of safety
equipment provided in wet panels, so that the operators feel
safe while working with these systems.
IMPORTANT EQUIPMENTS OF THE
SAMPLING SYSTEM
1. SAMPLE COOLER

 Sample Coolers are COIL-IN-SHELL

type CONTRA-FLOW heat
exchangers.


 Coil Materials are available such as

Stainless Steel AISI 316,Monel 400 &.
Inconel 62.5 and so on
 [Link] PRESSURE REGULATOR

 Piston Type High Pressure Regulators.

These are used in primary conditioning
where sample pressures are higher than
100 Kgicm2.

 As these are piston type Pressure

Regulators , there is no fear of
diaphragm rupture etc.
3. BACK PRESSURE REGULATOR

 Back Pressure Regulator(BRP) to avoid

low flow (or fluctuating flow)
conditions to analyzers in the event
grab sample valve operation. In the
absence of such a device ,the sample
would flow to grab sample line when
the grab sample valve is opened. This
can create low flow alarm conditions in
sample going to analyzers.
 A pressure Regulator and Back Pressure
Regulator combination provides very
stable pressure &. flow conditions,
thereby ensuring reliable, efficient and
accurate analysis.
 4. SIGHT GLASS

 Sample flow Indicator (sight Glass) to

view the sample flow inside the
sample linc.

 A rotating wheel indicates presence of

cooling water. The sight glass is made
of high grade stainless steel.
5. SAMPLE FILTER
 The Filter which is required to
ensure particle -free sample.

 Any particle of size up to 40 microns

size can be filtered out.

 Forged stainless steel body and

hexagonal cap help easy cleaning of
filter element.
 6. PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE

 Pressure relief Valve comes fitted with

Sample Cooler.

 Pressure Relief Valve is important as it

protects the Sample Cooler in case the
coil fails.

 This is also important for human safety

as pressurized cooler may burst due to
full sample pressure under coil failure
conditions.
7. HIGH- TEMP ISOLATION VALVE

This valve is an easy to operate &. can be

used for most high pressure and
temperature applications.

Its unique plug/seat geometry and stuffing

box design allow these valves to operate
for extended period of time without gland
leakage and passing.
[Link] COLUMN
 The Duplex type. Cation
Conductivity Column is a field
proven design.

 The Cation Conductivity

measurements are considered to be
more reliable than ordinary
conductivity measurements.

This ensures Elimination Of Masking

Effect of desired chemicals used in
treating the water.

 Ph ANALYSER

pH is a measure of the acidity and alkalinity properties of a

water solution, which are determined by the concentration
of hydrogen ions (14+) present in the solution.

pH is defined as H=-1

Acids: HA -+ H+
acid hydrogen ion anion

Bases: MOH 4 OH' + M+

base hydrogen ion cation
(H+) x (OH-) = = 10.14 (25°C}
 WHY PH MEASUREMENT IS REQUIRED?
• The steam which goes to the turbine has to be ultra
pure. The pH value of the feed water gives direct
indication of alkalinity or acidity of the water.
• The ultra pure water has pH value of 7.
• In a steam circuit, to keep the pH value of feed
water at slight alkaline levels.
• It helps in preventing the corrosion of pipe work
and other equipment.
• pH Analyzers are recommended at following
location in a steam circuit high pressure heaters,
DM Makeup, CEP discharge
CONDUCTIVITY ANALYSER
Conductivity is the ability of a solution, a metal or a gas- in brief all
materials - to pass an electric current. In solutions the current is carried
by cation and anions whereas in metals it is carried by electrons.
How well a solution conducts electricity depends on a number of
factors

• Concentration
• Mobility of ions
• Valence of ions
• Temperature
Cell Constant k: 1.00 cm-1 SPECIFICATION

Diameter: 20 mm

Enclosure Rating: IP65

Flow Rate:Minimum: 100 mL/min (6 L/h) with homogeneous flow sample

or 330 mL/min (20 L/h)
Length:114.5 mm

Measuring Principle: 2-EL conductive

Operating Temperature Range:125 °C maximum

Pressure Range: Max. 10 bar

Process Connection: 0.75 " NPT thread

Range: 1 - 20000 µS/cm

Temperature Sensor: Pt100

Vessel Constant: 1.00 if mounted in 8318 flow chamber

CONDUCTIVITY SOLUTION

 Conductivity is typically measured in aqueous solutions of

electrolytes.
 Electrolytes are substances containing ions, i.e. solutions of
ionic salts or of compounds that ionize in solution.
 The ions formed in solution are responsible for carrying the
electric current.
 Electrolytes include acids, bases and salts and can be either
strong or weak.
 SILICA ANALYSER
 The Presence of silica in the steam and water circuits of a
power generation plant is associated with a number of
problems both in the Super Heater and Turbine sections.
 The solubility of silica in steam increases with pressure.
Hence there are chances of silica carryover.
 The Presence of Silica in the steam can lead to deposition in
Superheated tubes and on Turbine Blades which may lead to
loss of efficiency and Turbine blade Failure
 .Silica in the steam cycle can result in deposition of a "glass"
layer on surfaces, resulting in a loss of thermal process
efficiency.
 Deposition of silica on the turbine blades can result in the
turbine becoming imbalanced, reducing efficiency and,
in extreme cases, causing extensive damage to the turbine.
 DISSOLVED OXYGEN
 The DO determination measures the amount of dissolved
or free) oxygen present in water or wastewater.
 At elevated temperature dissolved oxygen causes corrosion
which may cause puncture and failure of piping and
components respectively.
 Dissolved oxygen also promotes electrolytic action
between dissimilar metals causing corrosion and leakage at
joints and gaskets.
 Mechanical Dearation and chemicals scavengers additives
are used top remove the DO.
 DO monitoring is imperative in power stations using neutral
or combined operating conditions (pH 7.0-7.5 or 8.0-8.5)
 In steam Circuit where DO monitoring is required are
Deaerator Inlet and Outlet (Feed water, Condenser &
Deaerator Outlet) .
 WORKING PRINCIPLE
The measurement of dissolved oxygen is based on the well
known Clark cell principle.
• An oxygen-permeable membrane isolates the electrodes
from the sample water, thus obviating the need for sample
conditioning
A gold working electrode (cathode) reduces the dissolved
oxygen to hydroxyl ions:
02 + 2H20 + 4e- 0 40HA
• A large silver counter electrode (anode) provides the
oxidation reaction which occurs on its surface:
4Ag+ + 4Br 0 4AgBr + 4e-
The reduction of oxygen is the current limiting reaction, thus
making the cell current linearly proportional to the dissolved
oxygen concentration
• Electrochemical reactions and diffusion rates are
temperature-sensitive
 PHOSPHATE ANALYSER

This treatment is used to precipitate the hardness

constituents of water and provide alkaline pH control,
which will reduce boiler corrosion.

• Maintains the sodium-to- phosphate molar ratio — (2.1

to 2.9)

This ratio must be maintained to prevent formation of

phosphoric acid (ratio below 2.1) or free sodium hydroxide.
(ratio above. 2.9)

The use of phosphate analyzer is to provide a safe alkaline

environment in the. boiler.
PHOSPHATE WATER BOILER TREATMENT SERVES 2
BASIC PURPOSES

I) Phosphate controls the ph in the range that is least

corrosive to carbon steel

II) The event of a condenser leakage or other process

upset, phosphate or the alkalinity produced by it.
reacts with Ca, Mg, Si and other minerals to produce
soft sludge that can be blown down
CHLORIDE ANALYSER
PARAMETER ANALYSIS