Abstract
Condenser-tube corrosion is found to occur as a result of many factors which, generally, are of a chemical, electrochemical, and mechanical nature. It is beyond the scope of this paper to cover the field completely; therefore, the paper is limited to those problems associated with mechanical factors affecting condenser-tube life in land and marine condensers operating on the seaboard. In such units, mechanical features of design and operation have proved to be of great importance with associated problems commonly requiring the attention of mechanical engineers rather than chemical or metallurgical engineers before a final solution is achieved.
The details of this discussion indicate a general method of approach to a solution of the problem of inlet-end tube failures, by which local occurrence the type of trouble can usually be recognized.
It should not be overlooked that many tube troubles can be minimized, if not eliminated, by a change in tube alloy (frequently without greater expense) when the mechanical alterations required are too costly or impractical. The author dismisses the choice of material, tube quality, method of production, and details of installation, all of which are of major importance in many cases, and confines his remarks to a consideration of the effect on tubes of turbulence in the circulating water resulting from design or deterioration. He gives also a brief discussion of the possible effects of high temperature on tubes while the unit is off the line.
