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ME170
Broken Hole and Leaks in the VLCC Auxiliary Boiler
Water-Wall Tube
Technical committee

1. Damage circumstances

As there was an increase in the amount of boiler water consumption during voyage, an inspection of
the furnace inside discovered erosion and broken hole to the water-wall tube at the locations indicated
as A and B in the figure (both at the caster, heat insulation boundary.)

2. Presumed causes

It is assumed that water accumulated in the concerned area, contacted the exhaust gas, was converted
into a strong acid and caused corrosion and broken hole in the tube.
It is assumed that liquid intruded through the following channels:
1. As the Auxiliary boiler is not used during ordinary voyage, rain water entered from the funnel.
2. Leakage of blow steam which is used to blow off the IGS uptake valve seat.
However,
1. There are traces of water leakage from the uptake area
2. Leakage from the blow off valve (both of double shut valves) was confirmed.
From these facts, it is surmised that due to leakage from the blow steam valve of the IGS uptake valve
seat, steam drain dripped down and accumulated.

3. Repair

After conducting build up welding to tubes with broken hole, an air test was carried out and plugs
were constructed for questionable tubes.
Construction of blind plate at the inlet side of the IGS uptake blow off valve.

4. Observations

Depending on the shipyard, the valves mentioned in this report may be steam or air type. With regard
to steam type valves, countermeasures should involve either switching them to air type valves or out-
fitting them with drain plugs for the purposes of both leakage detection and prevention of steam in-
gress.

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