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.

Corrosion and erosion are major concerns in thermal power plant operating on steam. The steam
reaching the turbines need to be ultra-pure and hence needs to be monitored for its quality. A well
designed Steam and Water Analysis system (SWAS) can help in monitoring the critical parameters in the
steam. These parameters include pH, conductivity, silica, sodium, dissolved oxygen, phosphate and
chlorides. A well designed SWAS must ensure that the sample is representative till the point of analysis.
To achieve this, it is important to take care of the following aspects of the sample:

1. Sample Extraction
2. Sample Transport
3. Conditioning
4. Analysis
5. Controls

Sample extraction

To ensure that the sample that is going to be extracted for analysis represents the process
conditions exactly, it is important to choose the correct sample extraction probe. The validity of the
analysis is largely dependent on the sample being truly representative. As the probe is going to be
directly attached to the process pipe work, it may have to withstand severe conditions. For most
applications, the sample probe is manufactured to the stringent codes applicable to high-pressure,
high-temperature pipework.

The selection of the right type of probe is a challenge. Its use depends on the process stream
parameter to be measured, the required sample flow rate and the location of the sampling point
(which is also called the 'tapping point'). An important aspect of the sample extraction probe design
is that the steam must enter the probe at the same velocity as the steam flowing in the pipeline
from where the sample (it can be steam or water) was extracted. These probes are designed as per
ASTM D1066 standard for steam extraction and must be designed and tested for their structural
integrity in High pressure, High Temperature and Higher velocity of samples.

Sample extraction probes are extremely important and necessary of proper analysis of suspended
impurities like Corrosion products, Total Iron, copper, carryover effects.