Careers Soot Blowers
IGS Coatings Mitigate Soot blower Erosion in Boilers
IGS has developed highly erosion-resistant materials and ceramic anti-slagging technology to address soot blowing erosive environments in nose arches, superheaters, and reheater tubes of steam boilers. Utilizing our experience in high erosion applications, IGS has developed proprietary materials to withstand the aggressive conditions associated with air and steam soot blowing.
Steam Soot Blower Erosion of Boiler Tubes
Utilities use either steam or air to clean boiler tubes. Soot blowers are installed at various boiler locations like water-walls, superheaters, reheaters, economizers and air pre-heaters. As boilers have become larger and the quality of fuel has deteriorated, this has required a larger amount of cleaning to remove the soot, also commonly referred to as slag. Slagging, fouling or soot build-up can have a significant impact on the operating efficiency of a steam boiler. When the slag builds up on the tubes, the heat transfer decreases which lowers the temperature of the steam, therefore decreasing the overall efficiency of the system.
As the steam or air is processed through the soot blower, this action results in increasing air velocity in that isolated area which has been known to erode the surrounding surfaces and also cause minor temperature cycling which can fatigue the boiler tubes. The thinning of the furnace walls, superheater, reheater, economizer and air pre-heater tubes finally leads to material failures and leaks.
On-Site Coatings Mitigating Soot blower Metal Wastage
IGS has developed two methods to solve soot blower erosion using two different technologies. Both technologies can be used standalone but the combination of both is what will provide the best solution. There are two concerns when we look at soot blower protection, these are:
- The slag adhering to the tube
- The soot blowers eroding the tube during operation
To address these concerns, IGS leverages its unique products to find a solution that is both erosion resistant and ‘non-stick’ to limit the slag from adhering to the tube in the first place.
Anti-Slagging Technology
By applying IGS’s product line of ceramic Anti-Slagging, or boiler deslagging, technology, we coat the boiler tube surface with a very smooth, slick material that restricts the slag from building up in the first place. This is effective in superheat regions, nose arches, and water wall locations. Furthermore, if there is less slag on the tubes, you can also do less soot blowing which will further prolong your tube life.
HVTS® Cladding to Protect Metal from Soot blowing Erosion
To address the second point (soot blowers eroding the tube during operation), IGS applies a high alloy material using its HVTS® (High Velocity Thermal Spray) process to produce a homogenous (particles typically <50um), hard and tough material to withstand the energy generated by the soot blower.
The combination of these two technologies ensures our customers have the protection they need to have less slagging in their boilers. It will lower the flue exit gas temperatures (FEGT) and improve the heat rate by having more tubes exposed to absorb the heat.
Less Slag = Better Absorption = Lower FEGT = Improved Heat Rate/Boiler Optimization
IGS Experience Cladding Metal Inside Boilers
IGS has applied over 1 million square feet of coatings to address soot blower erosion and slag build-up over the past three decades to become the trusted provider for soot blower protection. Our ability to combine best-in-class products and application services will limit the slagging and provide the erosion resistance required for these locations.
Value Proposition for Vapor-Liquid Separators
The installation of IGS HVTS®claddings as a corrosion mitigation strategy will reduce the future maintenance costs, repair requirements, and downtime of a flare KO drum or pot. Ensuring that the flare system is continually available as required for the safe operation of the plant.
Free consultation with an IGS Subject Matter Expert
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