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ME181
“Exh Gas Economizer Low Pressure” Steam Pipe Leakage
Technical committee

1. E.G.E principal items

1) Type
Forced circulating, fin tube, dual pressure type with superheater and preheater
2) Steam pressure x temperature x evaporation
I.P. Gene 2.0 kg/cm²G x Sat x 1650 kg/H
H.P. Gene 6.0 kg/cm²G x Sat x 250 kg/H
Superheater 5.5 kg/cm²G x 225ºC x 3200 kg/H
3) Size of E.G.E
3500 W x 2468 D x 10885 H

2. Breakdown outline

During voyage, the amount of boiler water consumption increased. As the amount became abnormally
large at 20 Ton/day, the main engine was stopped, the access door was opened and inspection con-
firmed leakage.
After conducting washing and cooling, the fin of the concerned area were removed, and build up
welding repair was carried out via electric welding.

3. Causes

The broken hole was occurring at side of the I-beam on top of the central support. The water which
seeped under the top of the beam flowed toward the stern-side and dripped onto the concerned region
in a concentrated manner leaving traces of corrosion.
(There were also jet holes to the soot blower T-shaped pipe, corresponding to the top of the dome.)
During anchorage, after conducting E.G.E washing, or after conducting soot blowing during voyage, it
is difficult for washing water heater top to dry out. It is assumed that water remains for a long time,
and after contacting exhaust gas, leads to low temperature corrosion.

4. Repair

After docking on the mainland, the head of the concerned evaporating tube was cut by the maker and
stopper welding was carried out.

5. Observations

Similar evaporating tube broken hole was reported regarding this vessel in the past. Among problems
resulting in low temperature corrosion, there are:
1) E.G.E plant structural problems
This vessel possesses a preheater, L.P. Generator, H.P. generator, and superheater for a total 4
staged evaporating tube structure. As a plant, it is designed for tremendous heat recovery, but the
final stage outlet exhaust gas temperature drops to the approximately 140ºC vicinity, correspond-
ing to the dew-point of sulfuric acid.

1
2) Large quantity of furan build-up
As countermeasures to prevent soot adhesion, E.G.E outlet frame arrestor was removed, soot ad-
hesion inhibitor was applied, soot blower strength was increased, voyage E.G.E washing was im-
plemented etc. However, the E.G.E unit height exceeded 10m, and as washing of the inside of all
part of each evaporating tube is insufficient, moist adhesive furan is left adhering to the part in
question.
3) Main engine operating situation
Other than this, the use of low quality crude oil, and poor combustion due to long term main en-
gine reduced speed operation is thought to be a major factor.

6. Countermeasures

As for causes of past breakdowns, soot blower lance tube broken hole, soot blower steam valve and
inlet valve leakage can be cited. However, drastic measures are required to prevent drain intermixing
and the aforementioned massive build-up of soot.
During docking, only replacement of the evaporating tube for the preheater (low temperature area)
was conducted, but material has not been change as yet.