Practical Guide to Thermal Power Station Chemistry

Book excerpt: This book deals with the entire gamut of work which chemistry department of a power plant does. The book covers water chemistry, steam-water cycle chemistry, cooling water cycle chemistry, condensate polishing, stator water conditioning, coal analysis, water analysis procedures in great details. It is for all kinds of intake water and all types of boilers like Drum/Once-through for subcritical and supercritical technologies in different operating conditions including layup. It has also covered nuances of different cycle chemistry treatments like All Volatile / Oxygenated. One of the major reasons of generation loss in a thermal plant is because of boiler tube leakage. There is illustration and elucidation on this which will definitely make people more aware of the importance of adherence to strict quality parameters required for the adopted technology prescribed by well researched organization like EPRI. The other important coverage in this book is determination of quality of primary and secondary fuel which is very important to understand combustion in Boiler, apart from its commercial implication. The health analysis of Lubricants and hydraulic oil have also been adequately covered. I am very much impressed with the detailing of each and every issue. Though Soumitra refers the book as "Practical Guide", the reader will find complete theoretical background of suggested action and the rational of monitoring each parameter. He has detailed out the process, parameters, sampling points, sample frequency & collection methods, measurement techniques, laboratory set up and record keeping very meticulously and there is adequate emphasis on trouble shooting too. There is a nice blending of theory and practice in such a way that the reader at the end will not only learn what to do and how to do, he will also know why to do. I hope this book will be invaluable and a primer to every power plant chemist and the station management shall find it a bankable document to ensure best chemistry practices.