Failure of a steel boiler chimney caused by corrosion of the structural shell plate

Abstract

The article presents issues concerning the corrosion of sheets of the guyed steel chimney with boiler house in an industrial plant. The subject of considerations is a steel chimney with a height of 46.5 m and a diameter of 1.25 m. The chimney was used for seventeen years and did not show any significant corrosion losses. After the change of the way of usage and the fuel used for feeding boilers, the corrosion rate has dramatically increased. The paper presents issues concerning corrosion types and mechanisms of corrosion degradation of the steel. The reasons for the increase of corrosion velocity within the chimney base were given. The method of chimney renovation and the results of this renovation, detailing the order of works is presented too. Attention was also paid to the proper maintenance of construction works, as periodic inspections themselves may be insufficient to ensure safe operation.