AVOIDING BOILER CLEANING-RELATED INCIDENTS AND COSTS Boiler cleaning is recommended to prevent corrosion and ensure the required thermal and physical characteristics of the boiler equipment. However, if not carried out properly, the cleaning process induces a high risk of leaks. Laborelec helps power plants assess the need for chemical cleaning, provides advice on an efficient and safe procedure, and witnesses cleaning operations. INCREASING AVAILABILITY, REDUCING COSTS Our expert support for boiler cleaning provides power plants with the following benefits: > Optimizing cleaning efficiency We provide advice on selecting the appropriate offline cleaning procedures and processes in order to optimize cleaning efficiency. > Avoiding operation and maintenance costs Based on metallographic analysis and iron removal lab tests, we first evaluate whether chemical cleaning is needed or not. Without the appropriate boiler cleaning, there is a 10% probability to have an incident costing up to 800,000 euros (figure based on validated estimate of the 2011 Chemistry Platform) during the next ten years of operation. If cleaning is necessary, it is indispensible that it occurs correctly. Otherwise, the cleaning itself can give rise to corrosion pitting leading to boiler tube failures. Important breaches in the process can induce the replacement of the whole evaporator. > Increasing availability The goal of the technical support before and witnessing during boiler cleaning is to avoid cleaning-related incidents. We make sure the process is carried out in due time and according to in-house and international best practices in order to avoid unforeseen downtime. > Increasing safety and reducing environmental risk Our experts inform the plant about the environmental impact of boiler cleaning. By witnessing the cleaning operations, we help avoid errors that could affect the safety of the boiler’s immediate environment. INTERNATIONAL REFERENCES > Solving cleaning process problems and avoiding the complete deterioration of an evaporator in Belgium and Poland. > Working in close collaboration with our water/ steam cycle experts, power plants in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy avoided chemical cleaning- related issues Optimizing boiler cleaning process Ensuring quality from initial preparation to final validation Laborelec is active in every step of the water/steam cycle value chain. This leaflet focuses on our activities during the operating phase, more specifically the boiler cleaning. PROJECT PHASE COMMISSIONING OPERATING PHASE WATER/STEAM CYCLE CHEMISTRY SERVICES CHEMI STRY MA TURI TY I NCREASE ONSITE & REMOTE SUPPORT