Abstract
Corrosion product monitoring is important as power plants strive to minimize corrosion and maximize availability. Current methodology for monitoring corrosion products involves grab sampling and/or collection of integrated samples using membrane filters followed by analysis of the membranes in the laboratory. This technique is labor intensive and provides only average values over lengthy sampling intervals (typically 1 - 3 days). Recently, a laboratory tool — x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy — was combined with existing on-line sampling techniques resulting in an on-line XRF monitor capable of measuring iron oxide particulates in a flowing stream at the parts-per-billion (ppb) level and below. After development in the laboratory, the instrument was successfully field tested in two power plants. After testing at the first power plant, modifications to improve instrument performance were incorporated. This paper presents information regarding design and operation of the instrument, improvements made during the first test period, and field data obtained during plant service. Results show that this instrument will provide on-line measurements of iron oxides at the ppb level with minimal operator involvement. Finally, there are wider applications for this on-line XRF monitor. Though the present system is geared toward iron analysis in corrosion products, it could as well be configured for other elements or groups of elements for other applications such as lead, sulfur, copper, chromium, or any other element detectable by x-ray fluorescence.
