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1.0 OBJECTIVE
The purpose of steam blowing is to dislodge scales, remove loose material, iron pieces,
weld slag etc., that might have been entrapped inside the piping of Superheaters and
other station steam piping during erection. Failure to ensure absolute cleanliness of the
steam piping may result in damage to the Turbine blades, Valves etc. The steam blow
out operation is carried out after Boiler acid cleaning.
2.0 BASIC TECHNIQUE
2.1 The steam blow out is carried out by the puffing method. The dynamic disturbance
available in this method will give a thermal shock to the system being purged to dislodge
the scale etc., which will be subsequently carried away by the expanding steam.
2.2 For the steam blowing to be effective, the ratio of the kinetic energy at steam
blowing conditions to MCR conditions should be greater than one(1).This is determined
by what is called the DISTURBANCE FACTOR and is calculated by using the following
formula
:
Disturbance Factor, K = Vb x Fb2/Vm x Fm2
Where,
Vb = Specific volume of the steam at blowing pressure
Fb = Mass flow rate of steam at the blowing pressure
Vm = Specific volume of the steam at Boiler MCR condition
Fm = Mass flow rate of steam at Boiler MCR condition.
Before the steam blowing operation the blowing pressure should be decided/calculated
to give the required Disturbance Factor. The pressure normally adopted is 40 Kg/cm2.
2.3 During the blow out operation the cleanliness of the piping is determined by the use
and study of Target Plates made of specified material (MS, SS, Aluminum or others)
located in an assembly in the steam blow path, in the temporary exhaust piping at a
location nearest possible to the permanent pipe work.
3.0 THE SCHEME
The steam blow out operation is carried out in stages to include the maximum possible
length of steam piping. In order to achieve effective cleaning, all the station piping is
sectionalised and steam blown. Turbine is bypassed during steam blowing . The stages
normally followed are;
Superheater : The superheater and main steam pipes are are steam blown
through to the turbine main steam chests, and from there to atmosphere using
temporary pipe work. The turbine steams valve are replaced by temporary
blanks.
Superheater and reheater : After superheater steam blowing is complete, the
temporary pipe work is rearranged so that the turbine main steam chest
discharge pipe work is replaced with temporary connections to the cold reheat
steam pipes, discharging to atmosphere using the turbine reheat intercept
steam chests, and temporary pipe work.
4.13 Ensure that no loose debris or other material are left inside permanent or
temporary piping.
4.14 Drains going to any Vessel should be left open to atmosphere, preferably outside
the TG Hall.
4.15 Before beginning the steam blow out determine/decide on the pressure for the
blow out to achieve correct disturbance factor.
5.0 STEAM BLOWING PROCEDURE
5.1 Boiler is started up, following normal startup procedures. All the normal
recommendations and permitted operational limitation should be strictly observed.
5.2 Light up the Boiler and raise the steam pressure slowly as per O & M procedures up
to 20 25 Kg/cm2. Warm up the line by opening the bypass of Boiler steam stop valve
and then open the Boiler stop valve. Boiler fires are put off and electrically operated
temporary valves are opened and valves are closed at 10 kg/cm2 start up vent to be
closed during the above period. During 1st blow, the boiler associate and station piping
are completely inspected for any abnormality.
5.3 After inspection, light up the Boiler and raise the pressure to the predetermined
value 40 Kg/cm2, for the first stage of the blow.
5.4 Kill the Boiler fire. Open the electric operated temporary valves EOTVs and give blow
till the pressure drops to a specified value, so that the saturation temperature change is
limited to a maximum of 40C (This is to prevent undue thermal stresses in the Drum
and Headers). Close the EOTVs.
5.5 During steam blowing, the following observations are recorded.
i) Drum level swings.
ii) Steam pressure drop at various sections.
iii) Steam temperature at various sections.
iv) Duration of steam blow.
5.6 After EOTVs are closed at stop steam blowing, boiler is relighted up and conditions
are re-established for next blow. The standard practice is to limit the number of blows
per day to 6 to 8 at an interval of 1 hrs. for each blow, with overnight cooling.
5.7 Continue steam blowing until Target Plate is clean (decided by completion criteria
see clause 6.0 ). Use Target Plates after every three (3) or four (4) blows and for every
blow in the last stage.
5.8 After First stage completion, prepare for the second stage operation.
5.9 Complete second stage at specified pressure till target plate is clean
8.5 While fixing and removing target plate , the steam supply will be isolated by closing
stop valve and its bypass and permit for work will be issued.
9.0 STEAM PARAMETERS FOR STEAM BLOWING
HHP Steam lines : Pressure / Temperature : 40 kg/cm2/ 400 deg C
HP Steam lines : Pressure / Temperature : 30 kg/cm2 / 350 deg C
MP Steam lines : Pressure / Temperature : 10 kg/cm2 / 250 deg C
LP Steam lines : Pressure / Temperature : 5 kg/cm2 / 250 deg C
9,0 REFERENCES
9.1 VGB Guide line for steam blowing ( VGB-R513e)
PROTOCOL
Site : Job No.
Date :
1. Circuit included :
2. Steam pressure before blowing : bar (g)
3. Steam pressure after blowing : bar (g)
4. Duration of each blow : minutes
5. Time interval between two blows : hrs.
6. Total Nos. of blows : nos.
7. Number of targets checked : nos.
8. Material of targets plate :
9. Condition of final target plate after blowing :
Result
Accepted / Not Accepted
Remarks
Signatures