Safe Hydrazine Feed Systems

It is possible to set up a hydrazine feed system that does not expose work-
ers to the compound. In one such system at a western utility, the hydrazine solu-
tion is supplied in portable containers. The container is connected to a perma-
nent metering pump and distribution line, which transport precise dosages of the
chemical in neat form to the feedwater system. A variation of this concept is a
system in which the primary feed tank supplies a closed day tank, which is vent-
ed to the outside atmosphere. A known volume of hydrazine is introduced to the
18 Power Plant Water Chemistry: A Practical Guide

Figure 2-10

External View of a High-Pressure Feedwater Heater. Photo taken with permission of the Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Public
Utilities, Quindaro Power Station.

day tank, is diluted with water, and is then pumped to the system.
The portable feed concept is gaining great acceptance. The water treatment firm is
responsible for delivering full tanks to the plant site and hauling away the empty vessels.
Plant personnel do not have to deal with drums and related haz- ardous waste disposal
requirements. The capacity of portable containers is typi- cally within a range of 200 to 400
gallons. A method to minimize handling is to stack one portable feed container on top of a
primary feed container. The top container is plumbed such that it drains into the bottom
vessel. When the top container empties, it is replaced with a full vessel. This arrangement
provides two distinct advantages. First, the bottom container can be permanently piped to
the metering pump or connected to a day tank. Second, the top container drains completely
without compromising the performance of the system. No residual chemical remains in the
vessel.