SEDL / STP / STP192-EB / STP48035S

Steam Purity Determination by Tracer Techniques

Coulter, E. E.
Head and Test Engineer, Babcock & Wilcox Co. Research Center, Alliance, Ohio

Campbell, T. M.
Head and Test Engineer, Babcock & Wilcox Co. Research Center, Alliance, Ohio

Pages: 14    Published: Jan 1957

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Abstract

The experiences, techniques, and results of both laboratory and field tests in the use of natural sodium and radioactive phosphate (P³²) as tracer materials for the determination of steam purity are described. Carry-over results using tracer techniques are compared to those obtained by the standard electrical conductivity method. These tests illustrate that tracers provide extreme sensitivity for measurement of steam purity. Although the use of the radioactive tracer technique is restricted to small scale tests because of excessive costs, the sodium tracer technique appears to offer a promising method for measuring mechanical carry-over in industrial applications.