Process Water

KEMA's expertise on process water covers the entire scope of process water related issues

Process water chemistry
The fields of expertise within KEMA are as diverse as the problems that can occur with process water in boiler and turbine installations and district heating systems. Problems that can have far-reaching operational consequences. Our expertise comprises a wide range of products and services designed to help you optimize your operations – in both technical and economic terms. We also offer solutions tailored to your needs based on the independence, integrity and absolute expertise for which KEMA is known around the world.

Much of the expertise is summed up in a series of guidelines published by KEMA. While drawing on our own research findings, these guidelines are also the result of close collaboration with chemists working for Dutch electricity generating companies. In consequence, they are as practical as they are comprehensive. As well as providing consultative services based upon these guidelines, our consultants and specialists are able to give tailor-made advice wherever the circumstances require it. The most influential guidelines in this series relate to: de-mineralized water preparation, low- and high-pressure boilers, conservation, chemical cleaning and district heating.

Water chemistry
Depending on the chemistry of the untreated water, one or more treatment techniques are used to remove solid, volatile, dissolved and/or colloidal components. Our services in the field of de-mineralized water preparation include installation design consultancy and diagnosis.

Process water treatment
Steam purity (in a chemical sense) is very important for the protection of a steam turbine. Our protocol for the determination of steam purity is therefore an invaluable tool for any steam turbine operator.

Total organic carbon (TOC) in process water
Organic components present in an installation’s water-steam system are liable to break down, leading to the formation of organic acids and thus to corrosion. So, to prevent damage, it is vital to keep the total organic carbon (TOC) concentration in the process water within the limits specified by KEMA. In recent years, the need to avoid plant failure has increased interest in the measurement of TOC in process water enormously. KEMA has the expertise to determine the most suitable techniques for TOC reduction in a given situation.

Plant conservation measures
Without proper conservation, serious corrosion can occur during an idle period. It is therefore important to take appropriate precautions every time the installation is temporarily shut down. KEMA advises regarding the prevention of corrosion, in the context of both scheduled and unscheduled stops. Depending on the anticipated duration of the idle period and nature of the plant, wet or dry conservation techniques may be in order. Where fixed-duration scheduled stops are concerned, KEMA draws up a protocol for minimizing corrosion in each section of your installation.

Chemical cleaning
The cost of chemical cleaning is quickly recovered through improved output. When realizing a new installation, pre-commissioning pickling may be advisable. We have considerable expertise in the treatment of both operational and idle installations. KEMA has supervised chemical cleaning procedures for power station operators and cleaning contractors all over the world.

District heating
District heating networks are constructed predominantly of carbon steel. Without water conditioning, therefore, these systems would quickly succumb to corrosion problems. KEMA laid down the nature and frequency of the analyses to be performed in the primary and secondary systems in the widely accepted guideline.

Process water test facilities
Using a modular mobile test unit, we can determine the quality of your process water and check on variations in water composition or in the water purification process. We also have a variety of membrane test units working on the basis of ultra-filtration, reverse osmosis and continuous de-ionization.

Ion exchangers are widely used for water desalination. The applied configuration depends on the chemistry of the untreated water supply and on the required end-product quality. KEMA has developed and piloted a kinetic test for resin performance measurements.

For analysis of failures caused by waterside corrosion we possess a light and scanning electron microscope for accurate in-house analysis. Modern visualization techniques, like KEMPhase, give clear insight in corrosion products and mechanisms.

Process and cooling water training course
Through the KEMA Academy we organize an annual course for people concerned with water chemistry issues at power stations and other industrial plants.