Chemical Cleaning of Paper Mill
Chemical Cleaning of Paper Mill
Chemical Cleaning of Paper Mill
This paper addresses how deposits and their thicknesses, densities and compositions affect boiler
reliability and efficiency. Methods to measure deposit thickness, density, and composition using
ultrasonic and tube sampling techniques are discussed.
Methods to remove deposits are described, which will prevent tube failure and increase heat transfer
efficiency. For large boilers, the removal of deposits by chemical means during an outage has been proven
to be the most effective and efficient method. The steps required to plan and execute a boiler chemical
cleaning program are discussed in detail. How to choose the chemicals to use based on the nature of the
deposit are also reviewed. Effective chemical cleaning methodologies designed to provide the shortest
outage duration are described for various boiler configurations. The means to minimize and/or eliminate
hazard exposure to personnel and the environment are presented.
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Published September 25, 2016 Paper Mill Boiler Chemical Cleaning
Introduction
Valmet is the largest supplier of recovery and power boilers for the pulp and paper industry and has been
offering inspections and chemical cleaning advisory services for boilers in North America for more than
35 years.
Boilers and their reliable performance are essential for every operating unit of a pulp and paper mill.
However, excess deposits inside a boiler's tubes may cause failure of the tubes which not only results in
lost production but also, in the case of recovery boilers, places mill personnel and equipment at risk of
injury and damage.
Upon obtaining a threshold deposit weight density, deposits should be removed to prevent tube failure
and increase efficiency. The removal of deposits by chemical means during an outage has been proven to
be the most effective and efficient method.
This paper presents information to help the reader determine why a boiler requires chemical cleaning and
when chemical cleaning is needed. Also presented and discussed are factors that contribute to a boiler
chemical cleaning program.
Definitions
Beaker tests – Laboratory tests to determine the solubility of the deposit in various cleaning solutions.
These tests are done under the same conditions (temperature, concentration, etc.) as may be used on the
cleaning project.
Chemical cleaning - The removal of deposits by dissolving or disintegrating the deposits in chemical
solutions.
Corrosion inhibitors – Substances added to acids and other corrosive liquids to mitigate corrosion of the
boiler materials of construction that occurs during cleaning.
Deposit – Unwanted solid matter, which separates out of fluids in a process stream, coating equipment
surfaces and interfering with process efficiency.
Deposit weight density (DWD) – The weight of deposit material per boiler tube internal surface area
unit. It is generally expressed as grams per square foot (g/ft2).
Neutralization - The elevation of the pH of the cleaned metal surfaces to above 7.0 in order to prevent
acid corrosion during post-cleaning activities including operation.
Passivation - The formation of a thin, nonporous layer of magnetic iron oxide on the surface of the
cleaned metal in order to prevent rusting before startup.
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Published September 25, 2016 Paper Mill Boiler Chemical Cleaning
Note: "Normal" scale is usually encountered in low‐pressure applications. The high iron and iron plus silica scale composition
results from high‐pressure service conditions.
* Extracted from National Institute of Standards and Technology, Handbook 115, Supplement 1. On well‐designed natural gas‐
fired systems, an excess air level of 10% is attainable. An often‐stated rule of thumb is that boiler efficiency can be increased
by 1% for each 15% reduction in excess air or 40 °F reduction in the stack gas temperature.
Table 1. Energy loss due to scale deposits
1. After a feed water condition upset – black liquor incursion, pH excursion, raw water incursion
These events will result in inconsistent boiler water chemistry and possible corrosion both short
and long term. Chemically cleaning should be performed boiler as soon as possible after these
events.
2. When the DWD becomes a threshold value. Deposit weight density is determined by dividing
the weight of a deposit by the tube area the deposit covers. The result is reported as grams per
square foot (g/ft2)
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Published September 25, 2016 Paper Mill Boiler Chemical Cleaning
Determining where to collect the tube section is usually an educated guess. However, the uncertainty as to
where to collect the section can be eliminated by employing recently introduced ultrasonic technology.
This technology detects deposit thickness and is applied very similarly to that method employed to
determine tube metal thickness.
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Published September 25, 2016 Paper Mill Boiler Chemical Cleaning
If a current tube cut cannot be obtained, a sample from the most recent opening of the boiler may be
submitted for analysis. Historical information from past cleanings is also helpful, but both of these
approaches may fail to account for later episodes of contamination of the boiler water that can cause
layers of deposit which may be more difficult to remove. Water samples, and deposit samples taken from
drums, provide only limited information about the deposits in boiler tubes.
How to clean?
Several contributing factors must be
considered when creating a boiler
chemical cleaning program. These
factors are illustrated in Figure 4.
Safety
Personnel protection must be integrated
into project engineering. The following
steps should be taken:
The typical solvent used in the chemical cleaning of paper mill boilers is hydrochloric acid based. The
prevalent use of this solvent is due to its relatively low cost and the ease of disposal of the waste solvent.
The waste solvent is usually placed into a mill's process sewer after neutralization. For the purpose of this
writing, the information which follows will be aligned with a hydrochloric acid based cleaning program.
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Published September 25, 2016 Paper Mill Boiler Chemical Cleaning
Magnetite, Fe3O4 Hydrochloric acid, HCl; Chelants: EDTA salts, citric acid salts
Water scale, mainly calcium carbonate, Hydrochloric acid, HCl; Chelants: EDTA salts; organic acids:
CaCO3 formic, acetic
Prior to introducing the solvent into the boiler, the solvent is to be tested for corrosion inhibitor
effectiveness. This is done by collecting a sample of the solvent from its storage tank and diluting the
sample to proper strength. The diluted sample is then subjected to tests to determine the effectiveness of
the corrosion inhibitor. If the tests indicate that corrosion inhibition is inadequate, then the storage tank
is agitated to ensure the contents are thoroughly mixed and the solvent is retested. If the test again
indicates that corrosion inhibition is not adequate, then additional inhibitor is to be added to the solvent,
the solvent further agitated, and the solvent retested.
Another form of corrosion which is concerning is ferric ion corrosion. When iron oxide dissolves, ferric
ion (Fe+3) is released and corrodes the exposed tube metal. As the weight density of iron oxide increases,
the amount of ferric ion corrosion increases. However, even for a high iron oxide weight density, the total
average metal loss is less than 0.050 inch or 1.3 mm. Nevertheless, this form of corrosion can be
eliminated by the addition of a reducing agent such as sodium erythorbate to the iron oxide solvent. This
material will reduce the ferric ion before the ion reacts with the base tube metal.
Corrosion rates during a chemical cleaning project are sometimes measured by inserting metal test
specimens in the boiler or testing a sample of the solvent collected from the boiler.
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Published September 25, 2016 Paper Mill Boiler Chemical Cleaning
Passivation is the formation of a nonporous, tightly adhering thin film of magnetite on the cleaned boiler
surfaces. This film is important to prevent rusting and is helpful for inspection. The formation is achieved
by filling the boiler with a high pH solution at an elevated temperature and containing a passivator such as
sodium nitrite. Alternatively, the film may be formed by firing the boiler to a minimum of 10.6 kg/cm2
(150 lb/in2) while filled with a soda ash or caustic solution, and maintaining this pressure for a specified
minimum amount of time.
Some boilers require a specific circulation method. For example, screen pendent sections in chemical
recovery boilers require a circuit that will allow circulation of this boiler section separately from other
boiler sections.
The manifold is connected to pressurized hot condensate or feed water supply for heating of the liquid to
temperatures up to 93 °C (200 °F) as the boiler is filled with the solvent. In order to prevent overheating of
the solvent and also to supply proper dilution of the solvent concentrate, pressurized cool condensate,
treated water or demineralized water is also piped to the manifold.
Flow meters are used in order to monitor total flow and to quickly obtain the proper dilution of the
solvent concentrate. A sample point is installed for sampling the solvent for active component
concentration analysis. Distribution of the solvent during filling from the manifold is by separate lines to
the lower water wall headers, lower pendent screen header, downcomers and economizer inlet header.
The manifold also allows for used solvent draining via piping leading to a sewer or to used solvent storage
tanks. If waste solvent neutralization is required, 50% liquid caustic may be injected (metered) into the
chemical concentrate injection nozzle while the used solvent is draining from the boiler.
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Published September 25, 2016 Paper Mill Boiler Chemical Cleaning
Gas lift
Gas lift yields excellent temperature, solvent concentration uniformity and the least amount of sludge.
The gas flow to yield the required circulation rate can be calculated. The gas is injected into the
downcomers creating lift of the solvent. The solvent rises and flows into the steam drum. From the steam
drum the solvent flows into the upper water wall headers and down the water walls. This fills the partial
vacuum in the lower portion of the downcomers created by the solvent lift. The exact flow rate of the
solvent can be observed using a Doppler ultrasonic flow meter. If proper venting is not available for
exhausting the gas from the boiler, only low flow of the solvent can be obtained.
WARNING:
Air is never to be used to circulate iron oxide solvents because the
corrosion properties of the solvent will be greatly increased.
Intermittent contact of the upper headers and connecting wall tubes of some boilers by the
solvent
Cooling of the solvent during the draining and pumping if an external heat exchanger is not
utilized
Non-uniform mixing of the solvent in the boiler resulting in concentration differences in the
solvent
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Published September 25, 2016 Paper Mill Boiler Chemical Cleaning
Available utilities
Utilities are necessary for the execution of a boiler chemical cleaning project. Project planning must
include that utilities will be available for the cleaning.
Boilers have to be preheated before being filled with solvent. The solvent itself must be heated to a
temperature that will effectively remove a deposit - yet minimize its corrosive properties. These require
either steam or feed water.
Pumps for circulating solvents may need electricity for their power. Compressed industrial grade and oil
free air are required for transfer pump operation and solvent circulation. Proper lighting is required.
Demineralized or cool treated water is required for solvent tempering, boiler rinsing and post-cleaning
hand flushing.
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Published September 25, 2016 Paper Mill Boiler Chemical Cleaning
Other prerequisites
In addition to those discussed previously in this paper, other prerequisite items are important:
Solvent sampling
Samples of the solvent should be collected on a periodic basis in order to determine the progress of the
cleaning. Hourly sampling is adequate for most projects, while 30-minute sampling intervals should be
used for low pH cleaning solutions. When a deposit dissolves in the solvent, metal ions of the deposit are
released into the solvent. The concentrations of these ions will continuously increase until all of the
deposit is dissolved or the solvent is spent. If the solvent spends, additional acid may be added or the
boiler may be drained and filled with fresh solvent. The time for solvent contact termination is indicated
when the concentration of the ions stabilizes and there is adequate free solvent. Therefore, analysis of the
solvent should be performed for dissolved ions and solvent concentration while the solvent is in the
boiler. Properly placed sampling points should be provided in order that samples of the solvent may be
collected.
If the solvent is being circulated, sampling the solvent from the steam drum will be adequate due to the
uniformity of the solvent within the boiler. This sample should be collected from the drain on the bottom
of the steam drum temporary sight gauge. (When using high temperature solvent [greater than 93 °C /
200 °F], sample coolers should be installed at the sample points.) Solvent samples may also be collected
from the temporary piping if external circulation is employed.
For the case where the solvent is drained to a tank and pumped back into the boiler, samples should be
collected from the steam drum and from the solvent drained to the tank. This is because the
concentrations of components within the solvent at the top and bottom of the boiler may be non-uniform
resulting in a termination indication at one sampling point that is not indicated at the other sample point.
When the concentrations of the analyzed components do not change (i.e. they stabilize) over at least three
sample periods, then the adhering deposit is deemed removed from the interior boiler surfaces.
In chemically cleaning boiler with a high deposit weight density, high dissolved iron concentrations
(> 1.0 wt-%) may occur. If the iron concentration exceeds 1.2 wt-% without indication of stabilization,
then an accelerated corrosion condition exists and the solvent should be immediately removed from the
boiler.
Superheater protection
Superheater protection is of utmost importance since allowing solvent to spill into the superheater can
result in permanent damage. At a minimum, the superheater should be filled with high quality water
containing an oxygen scavenger. Although this will not prevent solvent from entering the superheater, it
will provide some protection by diluting any solvent that may enter the superheater from the steam drum.
If solvent enters the superheater, immediately backfilling the superheater with high quality water from the
superheater outlet to the steam drum will likely flush the solvent from the superheater. To fill the
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Published September 25, 2016 Paper Mill Boiler Chemical Cleaning
superheater with water, first fill the boiler with water to an indicated level in the steam drum. Then
backfill the superheater with high quality water into the superheater outlet line just upstream of the non-
return valve. The water will flow through the superheater to the steam drum. Indication that water is
flowing into the steam drum from the superheater is by noting a rise in the level of the water in the steam
drum as indicated by the temporary sight gauge.
A well-designed and constructed temporary steam drum level gauge that is constantly monitored by a
person in good communication with the cleaning crew will greatly reduce the possibility of superheater
contamination.
Added protection of the superheater can be achieved by installing plugs at the steam drum in the
superheater inlet header supply lines, or in individual inlet tubes.
Personnel
Engaging an independent consultant is recommended. This individual will plan a safe, environmentally
responsible program that will result in a clean boiler at the least overall cost. Personnel involved must be
briefed and certain of their duties. The chemical cleaning contractor and mill must provide around-the-
clock coverage by experienced supervisors and operators. The boiler operator should assign two operators
per shift to operate permanent equipment and coordinate with other mill departments.
Temporary equipment
All equipment should be proven and mechanically capable of performing its designed function. Also, all
temporary equipment must be inspected and cleaned of all foreign material before it is made part of the
cleaning project.
Personnel briefing
All personnel, including those not involved in the project but in the area or in adjacent areas, should be
fully briefed on the associated hazards. A loss prevention plan should be implemented and understood by
all personnel.
Inspection
Hand flushing should be followed by a thorough inspection to look for any excessive pitting and other
anomalies.
Conclusion
Boiler reliability and efficiency are necessary for a pulp and paper mill's profitability. The growth and
analysis of boiler deposits should be part of any boiler reliability and inspection program. When boiler
deposits reach a DWD threshold value or feed water upsets occur, then the chemical cleaning of the boiler
should be planned and executed as soon as possible by knowledgeable and experienced personnel.
This white paper combines technical information obtained from Valmet personnel (Dewey Johnson, David Kittel) and
published Valmet articles and papers.
Valmet provides competitive technologies and services to the pulp, energy and paper industries. Valmet's pulp, paper
and power professionals specialize in processes, machinery, equipment, services, paper machine clothing and filter
fabrics. Our offering and experience cover the entire process life cycle including new production lines, rebuilds and
services.
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