Quote:
Originally Posted by AussieTrooper
. There is no ability to repair or maintain boilers that suffer age induced failure.
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Where have you read this Ben? Boilers often have leaks repaired and when the tubing gets too thin resulting in frequent leaks either the superheaters alone can be replaced or the boiler can be completely re-tubed. About the only thing that would put a boiler out of service permanently is fault in the Drum which makes it unsafe.
I think Paul's take is closer to the truth. If maintenance doesn't fit into the monthly or annual budgets set by beancounters the repairs simply won't be done. Over a period of years deterioration builds up to the point that major expenditure is needed. Some years ago I worked at Hazelwood and I have not so fond memories of walking around the boiler in clouds of pulverized coal dust because the leaks on the mills weren't being repaired. We ran hoses on the leaks to suppress the dust. That sort of thing went in cycles; when it got too bad everything would get fixed, followed by another slow deterioration. It all came down to profit.