Corrosion Failure Analysis of Air Vents Installed at Heat Transport Pipe in District Heating System

Abstract

Two air vents situated on a heat transport pipe in district heating system were exposed to the same environment for 10 years. However, one air vent was more corroded than the other. It also had a hole on the top of the front-end pipe. Comparative analysis was performed for these air vents to identify the cause of corrosion and establish countermeasures. Through experimental observation of the damaged part and analyses of powders sampled from air vents, it was found that corrosion was initiated at the top of the front-end pipe. It then spread to the bottom. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy results showed that potassium and chlorine were measured from the corroded product in the damaged air vent derived from rainwater and insulation, respectively. The temperature of the damaged air vent was maintained at 75 ~ 120 °C by heating water. Rainwater-soaked insulation around the front-end pipe had been hydrolyzed. Therefore, the damaged air vent was exposed to an environment in which corrosion under insulation could be facilitated. In addition, ion chromatography and inductively coupled plasma measurements indicated that the matrix of the damaged front-end pipe contained a higher manganese content which might have promoted corrosion under insulation.