Boiler thermal shock refers to the metal fatigue that can take place due to fluctuations in temperature causing the metal to expand and contract.
RasMech Technicians Repairing Cracked Tubes
When the temperature variations become severe, it can result in cracked boiler tubes, tube sheets or in extreme cases, boiler explosions. Boiler thermal shock, also known as thermally induced stress cycling, generally does not happen as a result of a single temperature variation. It is instead commonly the culmination of many temperature variations fatiguing the metal over time.
This is due to the “flexing” of metal as it goes from cold to hot and vice versa. The more extreme the temperature variation the more extreme the flexing. With each firing cycle boiler thermal fatigue happens to some degree. The boilers design, makeup and size determine how susceptible it is to these temperature changes. This is amplified when cold water is introduced to the system or burner cycles are at high fire and satisfy demand quickly. (Resulting in short, high temperature cycles)
What Causes Boiler Thermal Shock?
1. Oversized Boilers
This can create a situation where burners quickly cycle on and off. This causes a quick temperature increase followed by a subsequent decrease. While this is part of any normal boiler operation, the number of cycles should be reduced when possible. By correctly sizing the system you can reduce the number of times this cycling occurs.
2. Cold Water Returns To Boiler
Allowing low temperature returns to enter the boiler directly, can cause thermal stress. This creates temperature variations in the boiler which increase the chances of thermal expansion and contraction forces acting on the metal. This is one of the most common causes of boiler thermal shock.
3. Burner Control Issues
3. Burner Control Issues When the controls on a burner are not communicating correctly with each other, it can result in increased burner firing rates. Similar to oversizing a boiler, the primary issue is when the burner cycles more frequently than it otherwise would. The more your expose your system to increased temperatures followed by a cooling the more likely you are to fatigue the metal.
4. Energy Conservation Measures
This is commonly the case where AHUs in a system are shut down to conserve electricity for hours at a time (ex. night setbacks). When they begin operation again this can result in cold water entering the boiler system again as mentioned in number two. So long as steps are taken to remedy this issue then this is not a problem.
5. Scale Deposits
Scale buildup in the boiler can cover portions of the metal and act as an insulative blanket. This creates temperature variations in the metal. When portions of the metal are at lower temperatures and increases the chances of thermal shock.
How To Prevent Thermal Shock
1. Reduce Burner Cycling Rates
You should try to reduce the number of times your burner quickly kicks on and off or “short cycles”. The more frequently this occurs the higher probability your system will experience thermal fatigue. This can be accomplished by installing a burner that has a high turn down rate. This allows the burner to stay at a lower firing rate for longer periods of time, compared to quick periods of high firing rates.
Proper burner tuning can catch errors in controls and ensure you have the correct turndown rates for your system.
2. Size Your Boiler Correctly
If your boiler is larger than it should be, you may be at an increased risk of boiler thermal shock. This commonly happens as a result of a boiler being sized for a plant expansion that didn’t occur. Too large and you will short cycle, but too small and you will not be able to meet steam demand.
3. Treat Scale
Using chemicals to remove existing scale and preventing additional buildup is a great way to reduce the risk of thermal shock. As discussed above, scale is insulative in nature and cause increases variations in the metal temperature throughout the boiler. By preventing the buildup, you can eliminate this risk.
4. Prevent Cold Water From Returning Directly To The Boiler
By ensuring a minimum water return temperature you can prevent the extreme thermal shock caused by temperature variations. In an article, the national board of boiler and pressure vessel inspectors, discuss how a “two loop system” can accomplish this. One loop handles low temperature water returns and the other would be a hot loop. You can then use a valve to connect the two loops. This allows the low temperature water in the first loop to mix with high temperature water in the second loop. Ultimately this will allow you to meet temperature requirements and reduce the risk of boiler thermal shock.
Economizer And Thermal Shock
In an article written by Babcock and Wilcox on Boiler Cycling Considerations, they discuss the effects of thermal shock on boiler economizers.
“On boilers that are on/off cycled, economizers often show more cyclic damage than other components. The economizer receives water from the extraction feedwater heater system. The inner metal surface temperature follows the feedwater temperature with practically no time delay. As a result, high rates of metal temperature change can occur with high local stresses.
During the offline period, there is typically some air leakage through the boiler with a resulting decay in boiler pressure. As this happens, the drum water level decreases. At the same time, the air passing through the boiler is heated to near saturation temperature, and that air then heats the economizer. An economizer metal temperature can increase at 30 to 50F/h (17 to 28C/h) during this period and can approach saturation temperatures. When the drum level drops as the unit cools, the operator usually reestablishes drum level by adding feedwater. Because there is no extraction steam available, the feedwater temperature is low. This slug of cold water quickly cools the economizer, causing thermal shock.”
Have Questions?
Thermal Shock can cause thousands of dollars in damages and not to mention downtime for your boiler. If you have questions about your system, reach out to the boiler experts at RasMech. Call us at 1-800-237-3141, email sales@rasmech.com or contact us online.
