Corrosion monitoring in a straw-fired power plant using an electrochemical noise probe

Electrochemical Noise Measurements have been carried out in situ in a straw-fired power plant using an experimental probe constructed from alumina and AlSl 347 steel. Based on a framework of controlled laboratory experiments it has been found that electrochemical noise has the unique ability to provide in-situ monitoring of intergranular corrosion in progress.

The probe had a lifetime of two months. It was shown that down-time corrosion in the boiler was negligible. Electrochemical noise data indicated that metal temperatures around 590 degrees C should be avoided as the intergranular corrosion is at an increased level at this temperature, most likely because of favorable conditions for molten salt film condensation.