Guidelines and Techniques for the Effective Control of Condensate Dissolved Oxygen in Steam Surface Condensers

Abstract

Low levels of dissolved oxygen for the condensate produced within steam surface condensers is highly desirable and an increasingly important performance metric related to the efficient operation of today’s power plants. The presence of high levels of dissolved oxygen within condensate can quickly contribute to; accelerated corrosion, the need for additional treatment requirements, increased maintenance, operational challenges and even early equipment failure. Under certain operating conditions, steam surface condensers can be expected to produce condensate with defined and/or guaranteed levels of dissolved oxygen. However, these levels can only be achieved provided certain guidelines are maintained and operational limitations are not exceeded. This is not always the case. This paper includes the latest design guidelines, operational limitations, general considerations and practical techniques for controlling and minimizing condensate dissolved oxygen levels produced within steam surface condensers.