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Role of Deionised Water in Power Plants and Boilers

Deionised water in power plants and boilers

Table of Contents

Water plays a prime role in power generation. Starting from the production of steam to the cooling process involved in power stations, no stage of power production can do without quality water. Even a slight presence of contaminants can lead to lowered efficiency. 

This explains why deionised water in a power plant and boiler installation is considered critical. Deionised water helps eliminate dissolved salts and minerals. This facilitates safe, efficient, and reliable electricity production. Deionised water is considered critical for power plants located in the UK. 

Why Water Quality Is Critical in Power Generation 

There are extreme temperatures and pressures within the power plants. The water to be utilised in such plants has to be carefully controlled to avoid breakdowns. 

Poor quality of water may result in: 

Scale Formation In Boilers And Heat Exchangers 

Scale buildup occurs due to the accumulation of dissolved minerals on warm surfaces to form an insulating barrier. System efficiency will therefore deteriorate due to the increased consumption of fuels to produce the required output. 

Increased Corrosion In Pipework And Turbines 

The presence of impurities and dissolved salts in water enhances its corrosiveness at both high temperature and pressure. As a result, the endurance given to metals, which might have prevented leakage and mechanical failure, is shortened. 

Poorer Heat Transfer Efficiency 

Deposits and corrosion on internal surfaces impede efficient heat transfer in boilers. This increases energy and the inefficiency of steam generation. 

Unexpected Shutdowns And Costly Repairs 

Poor quality of water also contributes to the likelihood of equipment breakdowns and unscheduled shutdowns. This leads to repair costs and loss of production. 

Water from the power plant water treatment should always be treated to ensure it has a steady power output, safeguards expensive equipment, and maximises power plant reliability. Deionised water provides the basic makeup for such a process. 

What Is Deionised Water and How It Works in Power Plants 

Deionised water requires the removal of ionic contaminants such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, and sulfates. This can be done with ion-exchange resins or through electrodeionisation. 

In power plant water treatment applications, deionised water serves as a clean medium that does not produce mineral deposits. In most applications, deionised water is used as boiler feed water deionised. The water has to be deionised. 

Deionised water removes conductive ions, which in turn facilitates the prevention of scaling, corrosion, and conductivity in the plant. 

Role of Deionised Water in Boilers 

Boilers are one of the most important and critical parts of a power plant. For boilers to function properly and safely, they need exceptionally pure water. 

Preventing Scale Formation 

Scale is generated by the precipitation of minerals such as calcium and magnesium at high temperatures. Scale accumulation on the surfaces of the boilers functions as a thermal insulator. 

Deionised water is used in boilers to prevent scaling by removing the mineral components that form scale. This ensures that boilers function within their design capacities. 

Preventing Corrosion 

Dissolved salts and oxygen in the untreated water also promote corrosion in boilers and pipes. On the other hand, corrosion affects the strength of metals. This could result in leakage. 

Deionised water resists the corrosiveness because it does not contain ions. The result is the prevention of frequent replacements due to the increase in the life span of the parts. 

Increasing Heat Transfer Efficiency 

In order to convert water to steam, conversion would not be possible with a less-than-optimum heat transfer rate. 

However, both scaling and corrosion tend to affect this. Utilisation of deionised water ensures that the surfaces inside the boilers remain clean. Such clean surfaces promote the conductivity of heat. 

Benefits of Using Deionised Water in Power Plants and Boilers 

The importance of deionised water in power plants cannot be overemphasised. This is not just limited to protecting boilers.  

Benefits of  deionised water in power plants and boilers include the following:  

Increased Equipment Lifespan 

The equipment used in power plants is a heavy capital investment. The effect of exposure to contaminated water will reduce the useful life of boilers and turbines, as well as heat exchanger units. 

Deionised water minimises scale and corrosion. Therefore, equipment will run for a longer time without failing. 

Less Maintenance Cost 

Frequent maintenance and unscheduled stoppages are very expensive. They also impact power commitment and operational schedules. 

Use of deionised water limits maintenance, as it does not cause deposition and corrosion inside the equipment. This means less cleaning, fewer spare parts, and lower labour requirements. 

Enhanced Operational Efficiency 

Water chemistry conditions are optimised for the operation of the plant. The boilers heat up quickly. The steam produced is clean. Energy losses are also eliminated. Deionised water in power stations and boilers ensures that the power plant operates with greater efficiency. 

Deionised Water vs Treated Water in Boilers 

Some facilities utilise chemically treated or softened water instead of deionised water. Though they offer protection to the apparatus to some extent, their efficiency is not the same as that of deionised water. 

Aspect  Treated Water  Deionisation Water 
Removal of mineral/salt  Hardness is partially removed, but salt and conductor ions could be present.  It removes both hardness minerals and conductive ions completely. 
Need for Chemical Dosing  Typically requires continuous chemical dosing for prevention of scaling and/or corrosion  Does not rely heavily on ongoing chemical treatment 
Water quality variability  This can vary depending on the efficiency of treatments.  low conductivity water quality 
Performance for High-Pressure Boilers  Suitable for lower-pressure applications  Mainly used in high-pressure and high-temperature boiler systems 

 In cases of high pressure and temperature boilers, deionised water for boilers provides better protection. 

Common Issues Caused by Poor Water Quality 

The improper usage of inadequately treated water could pose significant operational problems in power plants. 

Common problems include: 

Fouling in boiler tubes and heat exchangers 

Fouling is a result of the accumulation of unwanted material and deposits within the inner surface areas of the tank. It limits the flow of water and heat. 

Stress Corrosion Cracking 

Stress Corrosion Cracking occurs when corrosive ions react with the mechanical stress present within metal equipment. Eventually, this process leads to the formation of instantaneous cracks and failure within boilers or pipes. 

Low Steam Purity 

The quality of the water is low, which enables the dissolved solids in the substances to pass on to the steam. 

Raised fuel use 

These conditions cause inefficient heat transfer surfaces. Therefore, the boilers require more fuel for the production of the same amount of steam. 

Unexpected equipment failure 

The presence of impurities leads to faster wear and tear of essential components. This poses a higher risk of a component failure due to unplanned shutdowns and high repairs. 

This entails the high cost of shutdowns. It is necessary for the power station to have the right water treatment in the form of deionised water. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the reason for the usage of deionised water in power stations? 

It eliminates the minerals and salts causing scales, corrosion, and inefficiencies in boilers and turbine equipment. 

Is deionised water required for all boilers? 

This aspect becomes particularly important for high-pressure boilers with high efficiency, especially for power generation. 

How does deionised water improve boiler performance? 

It maintains clean inner surfaces, increases heat transmission, and provides easy maintenance. 

Conclusion 

Deionised water is very important in the current power industry. The capacity of deionised water to remove harmful ionic substances makes it very important in safeguarding boilers. It is becoming increasingly important to power plants as they attempt to operate more efficiently and effectively. 

Deionised Water is a trusted provider of deionised water in the UK. Deionised water for power plants and boilers can provide more effective and even safer technology. Deionised Water has a range of packaging to fulfil your needs. If you are running a power plant and require premium-quality deionised water, then contact Deionised Water, UK, for your requirement now or visit their website for the best quotes. 

 

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