ASTM D887-82(1999)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 887 – 82 (Reapproved 1999)
Standard Practices for
Sampling Water-Formed Deposits
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 887; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D1428 Test Methods for Sodium and Potassium in Water
and Water-Formed Deposits by Flame Photometry
1.1 These practices cover the sampling of water-formed
D2331 Practices for Preparation and Preliminary Testing of
deposits for chemical, physical, biological, or radiological
Water-Formed Deposits
analysis. The practices cover both field and laboratory sam-
D2332 Practice for Analysis of Water-Formed Deposits by
pling. It also defines the various types of deposits. The
Wavelength-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence
following practices are included:
D2579 Test Methods for Total and Organic Carbon in
Sections
Water
Practice A—Sampling Water-Formed Deposits From Tubing 8to10
of Steam Generators and Heat Exchangers
D3483 Test Methods for Accumulated Deposition in a
Practice B—Sampling Water-Formed Deposits From Steam 11 to 14
Steam Generator Tube
Turbines
1.2 The general procedures of selection and removal of 3. Terminology
deposits given here can be applied to a variety of surfaces that
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
are subject to water-formed deposits. However, the investigator
3.1.1 water-formed deposits—any accumulation of in-
must resort to his individual experience and judgment in
soluble material derived from water or formed by the reaction
applying these procedures to his specific problem.
of water upon surfaces in contact with the water.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.1.1 Deposits formed from or by water in all its phases
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
may be further classified as scale, sludge, corrosion products,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
or biological deposit. The overall composition of a deposit or
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
some part of a deposit may be determined by chemical or
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. See Section 7 and
spectrographic analysis; the constituents actually present as
Notes 1-4 for specific hazards statements.
chemical substances may be identified by microscope or x-ray
diffraction studies. Organisms may be identified by micro-
2. Referenced Documents
scopic or biological methods.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.2 scale—a deposit formed from solution directly in
D512 Test Methods for Chloride Ion in Water
place upon a surface.
D934 Practices for Identification of Crystalline Compounds
3.1.2.1 Scale is a deposit that usually will retain its physical
in Water-Formed Deposits by X-Ray Diffraction
shape when mechanical means are used to remove it from the
D993 Test Methods for Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria in Water
surface on which it is deposited. Scale, which may or may not
and Water-Formed Deposits
adhere to the underlying surface, is usually crystalline and
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
dense, frequently laminated, and occasionally columnar in
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
structure.
D1245 Practice for Examination of Water-Formed Deposits
3.1.3 sludge—a water-formed sedimentary deposit.
by Chemical Microscopy
3.1.3.1 The water-formed sedimentary deposits may include
D1293 Test Methods for pH of Water
all suspended solids carried by the water and trace elements
which were in solution in the water. Sludge usually does not
cohere sufficiently to retain its physical shape when mechanical
These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-19 on Water,
means are used to remove it from the surface on which it
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.03 on Sampling of Water and
Water-Formed Deposits, Surveillance of Water, and Flow Measurement of Water.
deposits, but it may be baked in place and be hard and
Current edition approved Oct. 29, 1982. Published March 1983. Originally
adherent.
published as D 887 – 46 T. Last previous edition D 887 – 77.
2 3.1.4 corrosion products—a result of chemical or electro-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
chemical reaction between a metal and its environment.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.02.
Discontinued—See 1987 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.02.
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 887
3.1.4.1 A corrosion deposit resulting from the action of 6.2.2 Filter Paper may contain water leachable contami-
water, such as rust, usually consists of insoluble material nants (chloride, fluoride, and sulfur) which can be removed by
deposited on or near the corroded area; corrosion products pretreatment prior to sampling.
may, however, be deposited a considerable distance from the
6.2.3 Polyester Tape may contain impurities of antimony
point at which the metal is undergoing attack.
and cadmium which must be considered during analysis.
3.1.5 biological deposits—water-formed deposits of organ-
isms or the products of their life processes.
7. Hazards
3.1.5.1 The biological deposits may be composed of micro-
7.1 Warnings:
scopic organisms, as in slimes, or of macroscopic types such as
7.1.1 Special safety precautions are necessary in using
barnacles or mussels. Slimes are usually composed of deposits
acetone on a wipe material for removing water-formed deposits
of a gelatinous or filamentous nature.
(see Note 2).
3.2 Definitions—For definitions of other terms used in these
practices, refer to Definitions D 1129.
7.1.2 Special handling precautions may be required for
working with water-formed deposits containing radioactive
4. Summary of Practices
nuclides (see 9.14).
4.1 These practices describe the procedures to be used for
7.2 Cautions:
sampling water-formed deposits in both the field and labora-
7.2.1 Extreme care must be taken not to damage the
tory from boiler tubes and turbine components. They give
underlying surface when removing water-formed deposit
guidelines on selecting tube and deposit samples for removal
samples from equipment in the field (see Note 1).
and specify the procedures for removing, handling, and ship-
7.2.2 The selection of samples necessarily depends on the
ping of samples.
experience and judgment of the investigator. The intended use
of the sample, the accessibility and type of the deposit, and the
5. Significance and Use
problem to be solved will influence the selection of the samples
5.1 The goal of sampling is to obtain for analysis a portion
and the sampling method.
of the whole that is representative. The most critical factors are
7.2.3 The most desirable amount of deposit to be submitted
the selection of sampling areas and number of samples, the
as a sample is not specific. The amount of deposit should be
method used for sampling, and the maintenance of the integrity
consistent with the type of analysis to be performed.
of the sample prior to analysis. Analysis of water-formed
deposits should give valuable information concerning cycle 7.2.4 The samples must be collected, packed, shipped, and
system chemistry, component corrosion, erosion, the failure
manipulated prior to analysis in a manner that safeguards
mechanism, the need for chemical cleaning, the method of
against change in the particular constituents or properties to be
chemical cleaning, localized cycle corrosion, boiler carryover,
examined.
flow patterns in a turbine, and the rate of radiation build-up.
7.2.5 The selection of sampling areas and number of
Some sources of water-formed deposits are cycle corrosion
samples is best guided by a thorough investigation of the
products, make-up water contaminants, and condenser cooling
problem. Very often the removal of a number of samples will
water contaminants.
result in more informative analytical data than would be
obtained from one composite sample representing the entire
6. Reagents and Materials
mass of deposit. A typical example is the sampling of deposits
6.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
from a steam turbine. Conversely, in the case of a tube failure
used in all cases. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
in a steam generator, a single sample from the affected area
all reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Commit-
may suffice.
tee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society,
7.2.6 Most deposits are sampled at least twice before being
where such specifications are available. Other grades may be
submitted to chemical or physical tests. The gross sample is
used, provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of
first collected from its point of formation in the field and then
sufficiently high purity to permit its use without lessening the
this sample is prepared for final examination in the laboratory.
accuracy of analysis.
7.2.7 A representative sample is not an absolute prerequi-
6.1.1 Purity of Water— Unless otherwise indicated, refer-
site. The quantity of deposit that can be removed is often
ences to water should be understood to mean Type III reagent
limited. In such cases, it is better to submit a single mixed
water, Specification D 1193.
sample (composite) and to describe how the sample was
6.2 Materials:
obtained. For radiological analysis all samples should be
6.2.1 The highest purity material available should be used
checked for activity levels before preparing a composite since
for removing the deposit samples.
wide variations in radioactive content may occur in samples of
similar appearance and chemical composition.
7.2.8 It is good practice for deposits to be taken and
Reagent Chemicals, American Chemical Society Specifications, American
Chemical Society, Washington, DC. For suggestions on the testing of reagents not
analyzed every time a turbine is opened for repairs or inspec-
listed by the American Chemical Society, see Analar Standards for Laboratory
tion. Deposit history can then supplement chemical records of
Chemicals, BDH Ltd., Poole, Dorset, U.K., and the United States Pharmacopeia
a unit, and deposit chemistry of units with and without
and National Formulary, U.S. Pharmaceutical Convention, Inc. (USPC), Rockville,
MD. corrosion and other problems can be compared. Enough
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
D 887
information on deposits has been published (1, 2) that a might contain deposits significantly different from the primary
comparison between different types of boilers and different area. Also, one or more tube samples is selected from adjacent
water treatments, as well as an assessment of deposit corro- rows or other related areas that might contain deposits signifi-
siveness, are possible. It has been a general experience that cantly different from the primary area.
about 0.2 % of a corrosive impurity, such as chloride, in a
9.1.2 Alternative Selection Procedure 1—Select one or
deposit, is a division between corrosive and noncorrosive
more separate tube samples containing the area of failure,
deposits.
heaviest deposition, or principle concern (primary area) and
7.2.9 Deposits taken after a turbine is open do not exactly
include any adjacent or closely related areas of these tube
represent chemical composition of deposits in an operating
samples that might contain deposits significantly different from
turbine. Chemical thermodynamic data on steam additives and
the primary area. Use this procedure when it is impractical to
impurities, such as vapor pressures of solutions, ionization, and
remove the samples from adjacent rows or other related areas
volatility data are needed to reconstruct chemistry of environ-
or when it is improbable that the information gained by such
ment during operation.
sampling will justify the additional work involved.
7.2.10 Typical changes which occur after the hot turbine is
9.1.3 Alternative Selection Procedure 2—Select one or
shut down and air is admitted are: (1) reactions with oxygen
more separate tube samples containing the area of failure,
and carbon dioxide, (2) drying of some deposits and water
heaviest deposition, or principle concern (primary area). Use
absorption by others, (3) leaching and recrystallization where
this procedure when only the tube section containing the
moisture is allowed to condense, and ( 4) formation of iron
primary area can be removed or when it is impractical to
hydroxide and hematite.
remove adjacent or closely related areas, or tube samples from
adjacent rows or other related areas, or when it is improbable
PRACTICE A—SAMPLING WATER-FORMED
that the information gained by such sampling will justify the
DEPOSITS FROM TUBING OF STEAM
additional work involved.
GENERATORS AND HEAT EXCHANGERS
9.1.4 Alternative Selection Procedure 3—Select one or
more tube samples containing an area adjacent or closely
8. Scope
related to the primary area. Use this procedure only when it is
8.1 This practice covers the sampling of water-formed
not possible to obtain a tube section containing the primary
deposits from tubing of steam generators and heat exchangers.
area.
It covers both field and laboratory sampling of water-formed
9.1.5 Alternative Selection Procedure 4—Select one or
deposits. It gives guidelines on selecting tube samples for
more separate tube samples from adjacent rows or other related
removal and specifies the procedure for removing tube samples
areas. Use this procedure only when it is not possible to
from the unit.
remove a tube section from the primary area, adjacent to the
9. Field Sampling primary area, or closely related to the primary area.
9.2 Taking the Tube Sample—Mark the tube that is to be
9.1 Selection of Tube Samples—Whenever feasible, remove
removed (sampled) with a crayon. A long arrow can be used to
the tube containing the water-formed deposit. The length of
show: (1) the ligament that is facing into the furnace, and (2)
tubing removed depends on the amount of deposits present and
which end of the tube is up. Mark the tube before it is removed.
the type of analyses to be performed. As a guideline, 3 ft (0.9
The marking should not involve the use of a hammer and die
m) of tubing is suggested. Table 1 contains a summary of the
or paint.
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