Failure analysis of coal bottom ash slurry pipeline in thermal power plant

This paper presents the case study of failure analysis of coal ash slurry handling pipeline used in the thermal power plant. The failure was identified at the bottom portion of the pipeline. Cracks (Hole) and deep pits were observed at the bottom inner surface of the pipeline. Visual examination, dimensional analysis, SEM and EDS analysis of failure pipeline was done in the present failure case. Also, coal bottom ash was analysed using particle size and weight analysis, ultimate, proximate, SEM, EDS and solid concentration analysis for the present failure case. The analysis results have shown that the failure occurs due to the coal ash solid particle impact and deposited corrosion at the inner bottom surface of the pipeline i.e. solid particle slurry erosion wear. The slurry pipeline was made of mild steel.