Use of Ion Chromatography for Measuring Ions in Water to Protect The New Generation Gas Fired, Combined Cycle Power Plants

摘要

The use of ion Chromatography for monitoring corrosive ions in water has been implemented at several new combined cycle, gas fired power plants in the U.S. Due to stringent requirements for clean water to prevent corrosion and plugging of turbine components, this methodology is predicted to have a significant impact in extending useful operating lifetimes and to measurably increase the availability of components in contact with water. Ion Chromatography, due to its ability to identify individual anion and cation species, to achieve parts-per-trillion detection limits, and to operate On-Line, has played a central role in the effectiveness of these water chemistry monitoring programs. Ion Chromatography has provided the capability to distinguish between corrosive and non-corrosive ionic intrusions, identify and eliminate sources of corrosive ingress, optimize and extend the lifetime of demineralizer resins, measure hide-out return, determine mass balances, and maintain neutral anion-to-cation balances. Cost savings due to chemistry monitoring programs using ion Chromatography have been estimated to be in the millions of dollars per year. This paper provides an overview of the applications and justification (using case studies) for using ion Chromatography for the analysis of water in these new generation power plants.