Influence of Environmental Factors on Corrosion of Machinery at Takoradi Thermal Plant Power Station

The effects of coastal environment and flue gases are major problems on the operations of industrial machines and the situation is not different at Takoradi Thermal Power Station (TTPS). It was observed that the relative humidity in the area coupled with the production of chloride ions and the formation of ammonium nitrate and ferric hydroxide are the major causes of corrosion at the plant. This paper sought to identify the causes of corrosion and their effects on machinery at TTPS. The major occurrence of corrosion was found to be pitting corrosion and induced stress corrosion cracking occurring on the tanks, pipes and tubes in the Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG). Consequently, this has led to the leaking of pipes, tanks and loss of production. The use of epoxy paint on the pipes and tanks will go along way to reduce the effects.