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ME132

Warping of the Main Boiler Soot Blower Lance Tube

Technical committee

1. Outline of breakdown

During soot blowing of the main boiler, the soot blower stopped during its reverse stroke and a long time
alarm was sounded. Combination valve was manually operated immediately to carry out retraction but did
not move. Having no choice but to retract it by manual handle, when the steam valve was shut and the
clutch was detached, the lance tube was thrust into the furnace and incurred red heat bending damage.
1) When the air motor was opened for inspection, it was discovered that the shaft nut washer was
fractured and the nut had loosened and had fallen off. Consequently, the rotor was contacting the
cover and would not rotate.
2) The warping of the lance tube resulted because the absence of residual steam pressure was not
confirmed adequately when the clutch was detached.

2. Repair

After each assembly was inspected, the following damaged parts were repaired:
1) Air motor
) New ball bearing replacement
) Locking washer was fabricated and replaced
) Faulty blade was replaced
2) Lance tube
Tube removed and replaced
3) Feed tube
Straightening of warped tube by using a pipe bender

3. Countermeasures and observations

As similar breakdown to the air motor due to decline deterioration is anticipated, overhaul inspection
should be carried out in detail. When removing the clutch during the emergency withdrawal of a long type
soot blower, appropriate confirmation of absence of residual steam pressure and use of chain block etc.
as a safety measure against falling shall be required.

1
The Marine Engineer Mar.1990
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Fig.

2
The Marine Engineer Mar.1990