Critical heat flux (CHF) tests were performed to evaluate the effect of dissolved, nonreactive contaminants on low-pressure industrial boilers. These tests were conducted on a 2.38-inch (60.5 mm) I.D. vertical smooth bore tube with nonuniform circumferential heating at pressures between 100 and 500 psia (0.69 and 3.45 MPa). Tests were performed under two water chemistry conditions: clean (less than 1.6 ppm total dissolved solids) and contaminated (greater than 2000 ppm TDS). With all other operating parameters held constant, the following effects of contamination on the steam quality (X) at CHF were determined at the pressures indicated: At 100 psia (0.69 MPa) Xclean < Xcont At 300 psia (2.1 MPa) Xclean?Xcont At 500 psia (3.5 MPa) Xclean > Xcont The effect of contamination on CHF was found to be a function of pressure, initial contaminant concentration, and the relative steam quality at which CHF conditions occur. These results are compared to data available in the open literature where Xclean is always greater than Xcont. A method for correlating these data is also illustrated. |