Posted by Rod Nissen on November 29, 2001 at 06:37:44:
I recently became involved with refurbishing an old 700KW firetube boiler (about 33yrs old but had been in operation). There was significant wastage of the nozzles and sockets on the outside of the shell due to the lagging being moist under the metal cladding over the years. There was also pitting of the shell which after thickness testing was not as bad as it first appeared.
The affected sockets were replaced. However there was some curious crevices extending radially through the gauge glass connection fillet welds. These were ground back and mag particle checked...no cracks.The welds were then reinforced. I have worked with and inspected boilers for many years but have never seen this type of effect. I have photos which I can send if anyone contacts me by E-mail.
Appreciate any responses,
Rod.