RESEARCH ARTICLE

Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 24 (2) August 2012, p. 1353-1360

CORROSION OF BOILER TUBES IN A PALM OIL MILL

QUA Hock-Chua * ; WONG Kok-Cheong ** ; HO Jee-Hou ** ; YAP Eng-Hwa ** ; TAN Ching-Seong ‡

ABSTRACT

This article investigates the leaking of tubes in a water tube boiler used in a palm oil mill. Leakages were discovered in the roof tubes and the rear wall tubes of the boiler. Samples of the punctured tubes were removed for examination. Micro- and macro-examinations were conducted to determine the causes of failure. EDX/SEM (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy/ scanning electron miscroscope) was also conducted to examine the composition of the elements of the specimens and a high concentration of sodium was shown. Key outcomes from the investigation are outlined in this article. They indicate that caustic corrosion was the cause of the leakages of the tubes.

KEYWORDS:


* Faculty of Engineering and Science,
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman,
Jalan Genting Kelang,
53300 Setapak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

** Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing
Engineering, Faculty of Engineering,
University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus,
Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia.
E-mail: Kok-Cheong.Wong@nottingham.edu.my

‡ Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Multimedia,
63100 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia.