1. Scope

1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the amount of deposit-forming impurities in steam. Determinations are made on condensed steam samples in all test methods. Test Methods A, B, and C give a measure of the amount of total deposit-forming material present; Test Method D deals with special constituents that may be present. Special precautions and equipment, calculation procedures, and ranges of applicability are described. The following test methods are included:

1.2 Test Method A is applicable for determining total dissolved and suspended solids in concentrations normally not less than 0.4 mg/L (ppm). It is applicable only to long-time steady-state conditions and is not applicable for transients.

1.3 Test Method B will measure minimum impurity concentrations varying from 3 mg/L (ppm) down to at least 0.005 mg/L (ppm), depending on the means for removing dissolved gases from the steam condensate. The means for removing dissolved gases also affects the storage capacity of steam condensate in the system and, thus, affects the response of the system to transients.

1.4 Because of the high sensitivity of methods for measuring sodium in steam condensate, Test Method C provides the most sensitive measure of impurity content for samples in which sodium is an appreciable percentage of the impurities present. Concentrations as low as 4.0 g/L (ppb) can be detected by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, 0.2 g/L (ppb) by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, 0.1 g/L (ppb) by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy, and as low as 0.5 g/L (ppb) by sodium ion electrode. The apparatus can be designed with low volume, and, therefore, Test Method C is the most responsive to transient conditions.

1.5 Test Method D covers the determination of silica and metals in steam, which are not included in Test Methods B and C and are not individually determined using Test Method A.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D512 Test Methods for Chloride Ion In Water

D516 Test Method for Sulfate Ion in Water

D857 Test Method for Aluminum in Water

D859 Test Method for Silica in Water

D1066 Practice for Sampling Steam

D1068 Test Methods for Iron in Water

D1125 Test Methods for Electrical Conductivity and Resistivity of Water

D1129 Terminology Relating to Water

D1687 Test Methods for Chromium in Water

D1688 Test Methods for Copper in Water

D1886 Test Methods for Nickel in Water

D1976 Test Method for Elements in Water by Inductively-Coupled Argon Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy

D2791 Test Method for On-line Determination of Sodium in Water

D3082 Test Method for Boron in Water

D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits

D3867 Test Methods for Nitrite-Nitrate in Water

D4191 Test Method for Sodium in Water by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

D5542 Test Methods for Trace Anions in High Purity Water by Ion Chromatography

D5907 Test Methods for Filterable Matter (Total Dissolved Solids) and Nonfilterable Matter (Total Suspended Solids) in Water

D6071 Test Method for Low Level Sodium in High Purity Water by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

Keywords

deposit-forming; electrical conductivity; evaporate; gravimetric; impurities; Larsen-Lane; sodium tracer; steam; Conductance and conductivity (electrical)--water; Dissolved elements (of water); Evaporators/evaporation; Generator materials--turbine; Gravimetric determination; Heat transfer systems; Impurities--water; Larsen-Lane steam purity analyzer; Metal content--water; Silica content; Sodium tracer method; Steam; Superheated steam; Water quality monitoring;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 13.060.50 (Examination of water for chemical substances)

DOI: 10.1520/D2186-05

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