Yesterday’s problem: Electrochemical corrosion of sliding faces

Converting the water chemistry from alkaline to combination or neutral operation and using increasingly powerful feed water pumps caused electrochemical corrosion which considerably reduced the operating periods of mechanical seals at many power stations. This damage phenomenon, which leads to the destruction of face materials, had been particularly observed in large boiler feed pumps with high circumferential velocities.

Causes of electrochemical corrosion

  • Boiler feed water with a pH value below 9 and its associated extremely low electrical conductivity.
  • Pumps with circumferential velocities of over 35 m/s (115 ft/s) promote the build-up of electrical potential at the shaft seal.
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