OPERATING COSTS OF TRADITIONAL RESIN REPLACEMENT VERSUS AUTOMATIC RESIN REGENERATION EDI (Electro-Deionization Device) OF THE AMI CACE ANALYZER.
On-line analysis of CACE (conductivity after cation exchange or also acid or cation conductivity) is the most necessary parameter to monitor and control the quality of the water-steam cycle of any thermal power plant and process steam in industrial plants.
Typical conductivity measurement points in water-steam cycles by IAPWS (International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam) include; condensate, feedwater, boiler water, steam and make-up water.
Standard practice has been to use resin-based cation exchangers for CACE analysis, which, however, are consumed depending on the water sample, sample pH and resin column design. Therefore, frequent and regular human handling is required. This goes against the philosophy of online analytics, which aims to operate as autonomously as possible.
Depending on the plant configuration and layout, for example in a combined cycle power plant (CTCC) with 2 blocks configured in 2-2-1 (2 gas turbines feeding 2 HRSG boilers, supplying a common steam turbine) about 24 CACE analyzers are needed, without considering auxiliary equipment.
Theory and practice
In the Combined Cycles, with AVT (All Volatile Treatment) with a pH of about 9.7 and sample throughput of 8 liters per hour, the typical 1 liter resin per analyzer is consumed in about 8 weeks. However, this is a theoretical value. Practice shows that for start-up or load change of plants, impurities in the cycle cause faster resin consumption, so 4-6 weeks seems to be a more realistic consumption rate. Nuclear power plants operating at higher pH have higher resin consumption and the need for replacement or regeneration is even more frequent.
In the example above, annual savings of more than $37,000 were achieved. The replacement of existing analyzers with a CACE analyzer quickly pays for itself.
SWAN AMI CACE
Conductivity before and after cation exchange with an EDI module for automatic and continuous resin regeneration.
Save operating costs and measure more reliably for consistently reliable data.
Automatic calculation and display of the alkalizing agent concentration and pH (VGB 450L directive).
Continuous monitoring of:
– Specific conductivity
– Acid conductivity
– pH value or alkalinizing agent
No expensive resin columns are required:
No Resin Exchange.
Maintenance free.
Without chemical products.
