AVT (R) to AVT (O)

BY
P S Deshmukh
 TREATMENT FOR FEED WATER

It Depends on the type of unit and system metallurgy

DRUM UNITS AVT(R )

Mixed metallurgy

DRUM UNITS AVT (O )/OT

All ferrous metallurgy

DRUMLESS UNITS AVT (O )/OT

All ferrous metallurgy
Types of volatile treatments which can be applied to the
feed water

1. AVT(R): All-Volatile Treatment (Reducing)

Using ammonia and a reducing agent (Such as Hydrazine)

2. AVT(O) : All-Volatile Treatment (Oxidizing )

Only ammonia to raise the pH during operation , hydro test and preservation.

3. OT :Oxygenated treatment
An oxidizing agent, ammonia to raise pH.
 CORROSION

Plants are subject to several corrosion mechanisms in the water/steam cycle:

• Flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC),
• Corrosion fatigue (CF)
• Pitting corrosion
• Stress corrosion cracking (SCC)

TOPIC COVERS MAINLY

• Flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC)- FLOW-accelerated corrosion (FAC) is
metal loss that occurs in carbon steel equipment when the normally protective oxide
layer is dissolved into a flowing stream of water and/or steam. The metal goes
through continuous cycling of oxide layer production, followed by loosening and
dissolution into the turbulent stream. The oxide layer is not able to protect the
metal, and the continuous loss of the oxide layer results in the steady loss of metal
thickness.
FAC MECHANISM IN AVT (R ) TREATMENT

5
 Magnetite reaction in AVT (R)
The elevation of feed pH by ammonia contributes to formation of
Fe(OH)2 which converts in to MAGNETITE.

Fe = Fe2+ + 2e¯
½ O2 + H2O + 2e¯ = 2OH¯
Fe2+ + 2OH¯ = Fe(OH)2

3Fe(OH)2 -------> Fe3O4 (Magnetite) + H2 + 2H2O

Magnetite is an iron oxide, [Fe3O4]. It deposits in the form of thin layer on

boiler steel surface and passivates the surface and thus protects the surface
from corrosion.

ABSENCE OF OXYGEN AND PRESENCE OF HYDRAZINE

PROTECTS PARENT METAL.
N2H4 + O2 --------> 2 H2O + N2
6
AVT (R ) TREATMENT
 Hematite reaction in AVT (O)

Magnetite can convert to hematite in presence of excess oxygen

4Fe3O4 (Magnetite) + O2 ------- > 6Fe2O3 (Hematite)

Under properly-managed OT or AVT(O) programs, magnetite becomes

interspersed and covered with a layer of ferric oxide hydrate (FeOOH).
This modified iron oxide forms a much tighter layer than magnetite.
Keys to these programs are the correct oxygen concentrations and very
high-purity water.
OT / AVT (O) TREATMENT
Corrosion vs pH in carbon steel
Typical location of impurity ingress, corrosion and
deposition in drum
 Comparison of AVT (R) to AVT (O)
All-Volatile Treatment
Characteristic All-Volatile Treatment (Reducing)
(Oxidizing)

Feed water system ferrous or mixed metallurgy (e.g.

all-ferrous metallurgy
piping copper feed water train)

Dissolved oxygen level < 7 ppb 5 to 10 ppb

Cation conductivity < 0.3 <0.2

a reducing agent (such as hydrazine),

Chemicals added ammonia to raise pH
ammonia to raise pH

pH 8.8 - 9.1 9.2-9.6

hematite (Fe2O3) forms

magnetite (Fe3O4) on steel piping,
Top layer composition interspersed of the porous
cuprous oxide (Cu2O) on copper piping
magnetite (Fe3O4).
 Characteristic All-Volatile Treatment (Reducing) All-Volatile Treatment (Oxidizing)

1. Less generation of corrosion

product in feed water train and
thereby Less transportation and
deposition of corrosion product in
boiler water wall.

2. More protection against FAC

than AVT(R), minimizes orifice
fouling.

Advantages To be used with mixed metallurgy piping

3. Frequency of chemical cleaning
reduce.

4. Hydrazine carcinogenic
chemical (cancer causing
chemical) to be avoided.

5. Economic benefit - Savings of

2,00,000 per year per unit( In
terms of Hydrazine)

Increased risk of FAC, more frequent

CPU OBR may get reduced in
Disadvantages chemical cleaning is required, hazardous
hydrogen cycle.
chemicals (hydrazine) are used.
Thank You