Condensing Plant

Operating Documentation Condenser - Operation (tube side)

Procedural Instruction

Condenser tube material: Stainless steel
Introduction
This procedure describes the properties of the stainless
steels used as condenser tube material and, based on these,
derives the requirements regarding treatment during opera-
tion. Notes are also included on the operation of the tube
cleaning system.
The plant operator must observe the VGB Guidelines
VGB-R 113L and VGB-R 455P which deal, among other
things, with possible damage to condenser tubes.
The tube cleaning system must be operated in the con-
tinuous mode. This removes tightly-adherent deposits,
including those originating from microorganisms, and im-
proves the surface quality of the condenser tubes by pol-
ishing.
Caution!
Risk of equipment damage!
Operation of the tube cleaning system out-
side of specifications can result in damage
to the condenser tubes.

Properties of stainless steels Protection measures:

Please observe the manufacturer documen-
• Protective film in condenser tubes
tation and other specifications regarding op-
Condenser tubes fabricated from stainless steels are de-
eration of the tube cleaning system in the
livered with clean, primarily bright-annealed or acid-
Chapter "Inspection and Maintenance Doc-
cleaned surfaces. No subsequent protective film is
umentation" (see Document 2-4-MA5-770).
formed on their surfaces on contact with the circulating
water. The specific type of ball to be used must be
Transmittal, reproduction, dissemination and/or editing of this document as well
as utilization of its contents and communication thereof to others without express
authorization are prohibited. Offenders will be held liable for payment of
damages. All rights created by patent grant or registration of a utility model or

• Resistance to pitting agreed with the supplier of the tube cleaning

On the basis of the chloride content of the circulating wa-
ter, the condenser tube manufacturer selects stainless
steels exhibiting sufficient resistance to pitting corrosion.
The probability of corrosion for a specific chloride con-
Copyright © Siemens Energy 2011 - All Rights Reserved
system.
• Freedom of circulating water from foreign particles
Foreign matter that can accumulate upstream of and in

centration is reduced as the flow velocity increases. the condenser tubes facilitates the deposition of suspen-
ded solids.. This also disturbs proper operation of the tube
cleaning system.
Caution! Continuous operation of the condenser after initial startup
Risk of equipment damage! of a new condenser and after return to service may be
approved only when foreign particles have been elimina-
Chlorides can accumulate under deposits and
ted (see Document 2-4-MA5-761).
design patent are reserved.

reach hazardous concentrations which can

• Microbicide treatment of circulating water
cause pitting corrosion.
Condenser tubing is often fouled by the growth of mussel
Protection measures: larvae and microorganisms. These microorganisms are
All efforts must therefore be taken to avoid de- generally slime-forming bacteria which are deposited in
posits under all circumstances, as well as any the condenser tubes. These deposits can not always be
precipitations from the circulating water. removed by mechanical cleaning, making treatment with
a microbicide necessary (e.g. chlorination).
Requirements on Operation of Circulating
Water System (PAB)
The properties of stainless steels pose the following re-
quirements on operation of the circulating water system:
• Circulating water flow velocity
The flow velocity of the circulating water through the con-
denser must be as high as possible as this reduces the
probability of corrosion of the tube material. The high flow
velocity also makes it more difficult for suspended solids
to be deposited.
• Filling of Condenser Tube Side
Class: Restricted

The tube side of condensers must always be completely

filled with water to prevent deposits and concentrations of
contaminants at boundaries between water, air and tube
material, i.e. adequate venting must be ensured in the
circulating water lines and the condenser waterboxes.
• Continuous operation of tube cleaning system (PAH)

Siemens Energy MAG &BDC020 2-1-MA5-491-M0001 / 1-2

MA13324 0111 EN

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 Condensing Plant
Operating Documentation Condenser - Operation (tube side)
Procedural Instruction

• Chemical treatment of circulating water

Caution!
Risk of equipment damage!
Notice!
Excess free chlorine > 0.2 mg/kg or local chlor-
The use of chemicals for cooling water treat-
ine concentrations can lead to pitting corrosion.
ment is generally limited by authority stipu-
Protection measures: lations regarding permissible residual
Microbicide treatment should therefore be per- amounts in any water returned to the envi-
formed with the utmost care. It can be performed ronment.
under the following conditions:
• Mussel filters in the circulating water line
• The condenser manufacturer already Mussel growth can be prevented by installing mussel fil-
agreed to provision of a microbicide treat- ters in the circulating water line.
ment system when selecting the tube mate-
rial.
References
• The parameters set at that time, such as the
chemicals to be used, the concentration and
2-4-MA5-761 Inspection of condenser tube and shell
the dosing location, must always be ob-
sides, Chapter "Inspection and maintenance
served during subsequent operation.
instructions"
• Changes to the operating mode shall be ac-
2-4-MA5-770 Cleaning of condenser tube and shell sides,
ceptable only with the manufacturer's prior
Transmittal, reproduction, dissemination and/or editing of this document as well
as utilization of its contents and communication thereof to others without express
authorization are prohibited. Offenders will be held liable for payment of
damages. All rights created by patent grant or registration of a utility model or

Chapter "Inspection and maintenance in-

agreement.
structions"
• If the decision to use microbicides is taken
at a later date, these must be approved by VGB-R 113L "Tubes for condensers and other heat ex-
the condenser manufacturer under consid- changers" (Part B Stainless steels), VGB
eration of the tube material. Guideline (in German)
Copyright © Siemens Energy 2011 - All Rights Reserved

VGB-R 455P "Cooling water guideline", VGB Guideline (in

• Circulating water treatment with dispersants German)
The deposition of suspended solids in recirculation cool-
ing systems can largely be avoided through the use of
dispersants.
design patent are reserved.
Class: Restricted

Siemens Energy MAG &BDC020 2-1-MA5-491-M0001 / 2-2

MA13324 0111 EN

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