On-line Chloride and Sulphate Monitoring for Corrosion Prevention

The cost of corrosion and turbine damage in power plants caused by chloride and sulphate ions is immense, and as a result, monitoring of chloride and sulphate at very low ppb limits is specified in cycle chemistry guidelines and turbine warranty requirements.

Demonstrating compliance at these low limits has always been a challenge reliant on high cost methods. By using direct on-line measurement of corrosive chlorides and sulphates, power plants can quickly detect contaminating conditions during normal operation and clarify how fast a power plant or turbine start up can proceed.

Microfluidic capillary electrophoresis (MCE) technology provides sensitive on-line chloride and sulphate measurement instrumentation that has lower capital and operating costs. MCE offers a robust on-line measurement method that is easy to use and maintain, providing reliable and accurate ppb-level measurements, with most high pressure and nuclear plants able to attain near real-time monitoring of their feedwater or steam quality. 

METTLER TOLEDO Thornton’s 3000CS chloride and sulphate analyser uses a replaceable microfluidic capillary cartridge which needs changing approximately every two months, depending on measurement frequency. The cartridge, housed in a temperature-controlled module, provides protection around the high voltage connections.

For further information about on-line ppb-level chloride and sulphate monitoring using MCE solutions, download our white paper.

Download the On-line Chloride and Sulphate Monitoring White Paper