ASTM D3483-14(2022)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D3483 − 14 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Test Methods for
Accumulated Deposition in a Steam Generator Tube
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3483; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.6 These methods are sometimes used for accumulated
deposition in rifled steam generator tubes. Experience has
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of the
shown that there is a significant difference in the deposition in
weight per unit area of waterside deposits on heat-transfer
the grooves and on the lands on some rifled steam generator
surfaces of steam generator tubes. The following test methods
tubes.The grooves have been shown to hold more deposit.Test
are included:
Method B and Test Method C will average out this difference.
Sections
In Method A the choice exists, either to choose to remove the
Test MethodA—Mechanical removal by 7 to 16
scraper or vibrating tool-removed deposit
deposition from the groove if it is visually determined to be
weight method
more heavily deposited, or to remove equally over the grooves
Test Method B—Chemical removal by solvent- 17 to 27
tube weight loss method
and lands. It is important that it be understood what choices
Test Method C—Mechanical removal by glass- 28 to 37
were made and that the report reflect the choices made when
bead blasting-tube weight loss method
using Test Method A on rifled steam generator tubes.
1.2 Test Method A is a procedure generally applicable to
deposits ranging from 1 to 100 g/ft . The precision was
1.7 There are some steam generator tubes where it is
determined in the collaborative study over the range of 16 to
apparent that half of the tube is exposed to the flame from the
76 g⁄ft . This procedure allows the discretionary selection of
external appearance, this side is typically called the fireside or
theareaonthetubetobesampled.Theremoveddepositallows
hot side. The other half of the tube is not exposed to the flame
for further chemical analysis.
from the external appearance is typically called the casing side
or cold side. These test methods also require that the tube be
1.3 Test Method B is a procedure generally applicable to
split in half, so the tube is generally split along these lines. On
deposits ranging from 1 to 100 g/ft . The precision was
these tubes it is generally found that more internal deposition
determined in a collaborative study over the range of 28 to
exists on the fireside or hot side. Some users of these methods
73 g⁄ft . The procedure averages out the heavier and lighter
deposited areas. The solvent solution produced allows for will determine the deposition only on side where it appears
further chemical analysis. visually that more deposition exists. Some users will determine
the deposition on both sides and report the results separately
1.4 Test Method C is a procedure generally applicable to
and some will average the two results. It is important that the
deposits ranging from 1 to 100 g/ft . The precision was
user of the data be aware of the choices made and that the
determined in a collaborative study over the range of 17 to
report of the results be specific.
88 g⁄ft . The procedure averages out the heavier and lighter
deposited areas. The removed deposit does not allow for
1.8 The values stated in either SI or inch-pound units are to
further chemical analysis.
be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses
1.5 Thesetestmethodshavebeengenerallyevaluatedonthe are for information only.
types of waterside deposits generally found on heat-transfer
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
surfaces of steam generator tubes. It is the user’s responsibility
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
to ensure the validity of these test methods for other types of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
deposits or high temperature scale.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Water and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.03 on Sampling Water
and Water-Formed Deposits, Analysis of Water for Power Generation and Process
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Use, On-Line Water Analysis, and Surveillance of Water.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2022. Published December 2022. Originally
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
approved in 1975. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D3483 – 14. DOI:
10.1520/D3483-14R22. Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Copyright ©ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA19428-2959. United States
D3483 − 14 (2022)
2. Referenced Documents heaviest on tube surfaces that receive the highest heat transfer.
2 Representative areas of especially high heat transfer are:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6.1.1 The center of the division wall at the top burner
D887 Practices for Sampling Water-Formed Deposits
elevation in a boiler with a division panel wall where firing
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
occurs on opposite sides.
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
6.1.2 Thesidewallnearthetopburnerelevation,atabout ⁄3
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
furnace depth from the burner wall, in a boiler without a
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
division wall.
G1 Practice for Preparing, Cleaning, and Evaluating Corro-
6.1.3 Other high heat transfer areas in a more complex
sion Test Specimens
boiler design as indicated by the boiler manufacturer.
2.2 Other Documents:
6.2 Areas in the boiler where impaired circulation is sus-
NACE StandardTM0199-99, Item No. 21236, StandardTest
pected may also be sampled.
Method for Measuring Deposit Mass Loading (“Deposit
Weight Density”) Values for Boiler Tubes by the Glass-
6.3 The optimal tube removal method is by dry cutting. No
Bead-Blasting Technique
oil or water is to be used in the tube cutting process.The length
NACE International Publication 7H100, Item No.
of sample should be 24 to 36 in., but allow an extra 12 in. on
24206 Evaluation of Boiler Tube Deposit Mass Loading
each end if the sample is cut out by torch.
(Deposit Weight Density) Methodology
6.4 After the tube sample is removed, provide suitable
identification, showing location in the boiler, orientation of
3. Terminology
tube, and the hot and cold sides of the tube in accordance with
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these test
Practices D887.
methods, refer to Terminology D1129.
TEST METHOD A—MECHANICAL REMOVAL BY
4. Significance and Use
SCRAPER OR VIBRATING TOOL
4.1 The weight per unit area measurement is an indication
7. Scope
of the relative cleanliness or dirtiness of the boiler. It is used to
determine the effectiveness of the boiler chemical treatment
7.1 This test method covers the determination of accumu-
program and to determine the need for chemically cleaning the
lated deposition in a steam generator tube by the mechanical
boiler systems.Allowing the internal deposition to accumulate
removal of the deposit by scraper or vibrating tool, the
unchecked will likely lead to boiler tube failures by mecha-
collection and weighing of the dry deposit. This collected
nisms of under deposit corrosion and tube metal overheating.
deposit is then available for further chemical analysis, if
desired. The method also allows for discretionary removal of
5. Reagents and Materials
the deposit from the tube in areas of the most interest.
5.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
8. Summary of Test Method
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
allregentsshallconformtothespecificationsoftheCommittee
8.1 The tube is split and the area to be tested is determined
on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society.
after examination; usually the area judged to be most heavily
Other grades may be used, provided it is first ascertained that
deposited. The deposits are removed mechanically by scraping
the reagent is of sufficiently high purity to permit its use
or vibrating from a measured area. The collected deposit is
without lessening the accuracy of the determination.
weighed and the result is usually reported as grams of deposit
per square foot of boiler tube surface.
5.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references
to water shall be understood to mean reagent water conforming
9. Interferences
to Specification D1193, Type 4.
9.1 There are no interferences, only errors in collecting the
6. Sampling
deposit, removing sufficient deposit, not removing base metal,
determination of the sample weight and the sampled area.
6.1 Select a tube section likely to have the heaviest deposit.
Experience has shown that deposit accumulation is usually
10. Apparatus
10.1 Cutting Tool or Torch, for removing a suitable portion
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
of the boiler tube.
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on 10.2 Tube Cutter.
the ASTM website.
3 10.3 Tube End Sealers, to protect the sample until the
Available fromAssociation for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP),
15835 Park Ten Place, Houston, TX 77084, https://www.ampp.org. determination can be made.
ACS Reagent Chemicals, Specifications and Procedures for Reagents and
10.4 Milling Machine or Band Saw, to separate the tube into
Standard-Grade Reference Materials, American Chemical Society, Washington,
DC. For suggestions on the testing of reagents not listed by theAmerican Chemical halves by longitudinal sectioning (dry cut).
Society, see Analar Standards for Laboratory Chemicals, BDH Ltd., Poole, Dorset,
10.5 Magnet, to remove cutting metal chips from the
U.K., and the United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary, U.S. Pharma-
copeial Convention, Inc. (USPC), Rockville, MD. deposited material.
D3483 − 14 (2022)
10.6 Scraping Tool, for removal of less adherent deposits. tion prior to weighing, incomplete deposition removal, and
Scraper material of construction needs to be of sufficient removal of base metal. Generally, modern analytical balances
hardness as not to contaminate the deposit sample. if calibrated and used correctly are not considered to be a
significant source of error. The other factors are considered
10.7 Vise, sometimes is used to crimp tube to remove brittle
more significant.
deposits.
14.3 The determination of the sample area is likely the least
10.8 Vibrating Tool, to remove more adherent deposits. A
precise step with this method, particularly for riffled tubes.
small head should be available for use within pits.
14.4 This method was tested by five laboratories. These
10.9 Oven, for drying deposits.
collaborative test data were obtained on sections of boiler tube
10.10 Analytical Balance, for weighing deposits.
samples from two specific boilers. For other boiler tube
samples, these data may not apply.
11. Procedure
14.4.1 Precision—An example of the precision obtained on
11.1 Split the tube sample taken in Section 6 in halves these specific boiler tubes is shown in Fig. 1.
longitudinally, separating the hot side from the cold side if the 14.4.2 Bias—Bias data could not be determined because of
distinction is apparent from the external surface or from
the lack of a boiler tube containing a known and consistent
labeling. Be careful to disturb the internal deposit as little as deposit.
possible. Carefully remove all cutting fragments from the
14.5 Data for this estimated procedure variance is from
deposit with the magnet.
NACE International Publication 7H100, Item No. 24206.
11.2 Examine and photograph the internal surfaces, if de-
sired. Determine the area to be tested and mark off the 15. Quality Control (QC)
boundaries. This will usually be the area of heaviest deposit
15.1 In order to be certain that analytical values obtained
and will be on the hot side section of the tube. A similar area
using this test method are valid and accurate within the
can be marked off and tested on the cold side section for
confidencelimitsofthetest,thefollowingQCproceduresmust
comparison, if desired.
be followed when running the test:
11.3 Carefully, scrape the surface to dislodge and individu-
15.2 A method has been shown to determine the optimum
ally collect the more easily removable deposits from the
length of time or other variable factors concerning the cleaning
selected area. Complete the deposit removal by brushing or
procedure, which indicates the optimum point where deposi-
applying an electric vibrating tool, or both. Dry the removed
tionhasbeenremovedbutbasemetalhasnotbeenremoved,as
material in an oven at 105 °C for 1 hour if it appears to be
shown in Practice G1.
hydrated. It is optional to grind the removed deposit suffi-
15.3 Calibration and Calibration Verification:
ciently to pass through a No. 325 (45-µm) stainless steel sieve
15.3.1 Analytical Balance—Follow the balance manufactur-
and weigh the screened portion. Record the weight in milli-
er’s recommendations for calibration procedure and frequency.
grams.
Check the balance with a class S weight in the range of the
11.4 Determine the area from which the deposit was
expected deposit sample weight on the day of use. Recalibrate,
removed,measuringeachdimensiontothenearest1mm.Ifthe
as needed.
areahasaregularshape,directmeasurementcanbeused.Ifthe
area has an irregular shape, one technique used to determine
16. Keywords
the area is to trim paper to the pattern of the actual surface that
16.1 boiler; deposit; deposition; rifled; steam generator tube
had deposit removed. Then determine the area by comparing
the weight of the irregular paper pattern to the weight of a
TEST METHOD B—CHEMICAL REMOVAL BY
paper of known area.
SOLVENT
12. Calculation
17. Scope
12.1 Determine the weight of accumulated deposits per unit
17.1 This test method covers the determination of accumu-
area, by dividing the removed deposit weight by the measured
lated deposition in
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