GENERIC

STEAM
BLOWWING
DATE NUMBER REVISION

18-Jan-2025 C-2025-002 01

Cassia Marine & Engineering Services

PTE LTD.
23 Hindhede Drive, Singapore, 589320

+65 81803810
Table of Contents

1. Purpose.................................................................................................................................................................. 1
2. Scope...................................................................................................................................................................... 1
3. Responsibilities....................................................................................................................................................... 2
4. Preparations........................................................................................................................................................... 2
5. Procedure............................................................................................................................................................... 3
6. Acceptance Criteria................................................................................................................................................. 4
7. Post-Steam Blowing Activities................................................................................................................................. 5
8. Safety and Environmental Considerations.............................................................................................................. 5
9. Documentation........................................................................................................................................................ 5
10. References............................................................................................................................................................ 5

Doc Title/Number: Generic Steam Blowing Procedure / C-2025-002

1. Purpose
This procedure serves as a foundation for developing the final procedure tailored to the
client’s system specifications. The primary objective of steam blowing is to ensure that all
newly installed high-pressure steam lines, steam generating systems, and associated
components are thoroughly cleaned of debris, mill scale, welding slag, and other
contaminants before commissioning the steam turbine.

2. Scope
This procedure applies to all newly installed high-pressure steam lines and the steam
generator system.
The following stages shall be considered:
 Mechanical Cleaning: Removal of large debris, weld slag, and scale using physical
methods such as high-pressure water for equipment and tanks and flushing for piping
and heating system.
 Chemical Cleaning: Application of chemical solutions to dissolve and remove
residual contaminants, oils, and fine particles from the pipe surfaces and create a
passivation layer of gamma -Fe2O3 for piping protection.
 Magnetite Formation: Controlled oxidation process to form a protective magnetite
layer on the internal surfaces of the pipes, preventing corrosion during operation.
 Steam Blowing: High-velocity steam is passed through the system to dislodge and
remove any remaining loose particles, ensuring target bar and cleaning criteria
verification before commissioning.

3. Responsibilities
 Chemical Analyst (1x): Responsible chemical injection stage and monitor the evolution
of SiO2, pH, solids in suspension, [Fe], conductivity, temperature, pressure.
 Process Engineer (2x): Shall be responsible for issuing preparation instructions
(outlined in item 4), supervising the operation throughout the process, and ensuring its
effective execution.
 Field Operator (x2): shall be responsible for the operation, lineup the system for
sequences, targe plate installation and removal for inspection, monitoring the water
pump, chemical injection, and process temperature and pressure.

4. Preparations
4.1. Documentation and Permits
 Obtain all required permits for high-pressure system operations.
 Review engineering drawings and system specifications.

Doc Title/Number: Generic Steam Blowing Procedure / C-2025-002

  Mark up the circuit on the drawings/layout, identifying key points such as valves and
instruments to be removed, additional spools for valve replacement, bypass routes, or
temporary piping arrangements.

4.2. System Isolation

 Isolate the steam turbine from the steam lines to prevent damage during the
procedure.
 Ensure all instrumentation and valves downstream of the blowing line are protected or
removed.
 Create a list with required plant instruments to be commissioned and ready for the
steam blowing operation.

4.3. Temporary Piping and Valves

 Install temporary piping, silencers, and blow-off valves to direct steam safely away
from the system.
 Ensure pressure gauges and temperature sensors at key points for monitoring.

4.4. Safety Precautions

 Conduct a risk assessment, ensure the PTW in place and toolbox talk done.
 Establish exclusion zones around the blow-off points.
 Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to all personnel.
 Install blow-off silencers to reduce noise.

4.5. Water Quality and Quantity

 Ensure an adequate supply of demineralized water is available to support steam
generation throughout the blowing process.
 Verify that the water quality meets the boiler manufacturer’s specifications to prevent
scaling or contamination within the system.
 Conduct tests on water parameters such as pH, conductivity, and hardness to confirm
compliance with required standards during the steam blowing process.

4.6. Plant internal requirements

 Mechanical assembly of the steam piping completed
 Mechanical assembly of the condensate piping completed
 Piping hangers unlocked
 Close shut off valve upstream and downstream the of steam traps
 Insulation completed for personal and equipment protection
 Chemical Cleaning completed
 Magnetite formation
 Vacuum system (pumps and ejectors)
 Cooling system

Doc Title/Number: Generic Steam Blowing Procedure / C-2025-002

  Feed water pumps (functional and standby)
 Condensate pumps
 Make-up Water tank (reservoir for demineralised water source)
 DCS & Interlocks functional test completed

5. Procedure
5.1. Initial Steps
 Perform a leak test on the system to confirm mechanical integrity.
 Slowly raise the pressure to the system’s design pressure and hold for a specified
duration to check for leaks.
 Verify all temporary installations are secure and operational.

5.2. Steam Blowing Process

a) Heating the System:
 Gradually heat the steam generator to raise the steam temperature and pressure to
the required levels.
 Maintain the system temperature to prevent thermal stress on pipes.

a) Steam Release:
 Open the temporary blow-off valve slowly to release steam into the blow-off system.
 Monitor pressure, temperature, and flow during the release (get the correct values for
each system).
 Inspect the exhaust steam for debris.

b) Detailed Blowing Process:

 Pressure Control: Maintain a steady pressure during the blow to avoid pipe stress and
ensure effective cleaning.
 Steam Purging: Use steam velocity sufficient to dislodge debris (typically 1.5–2 times
the operational velocity).
 Pulse Blowing: Employ controlled pulses by alternately closing and opening the blow-
off valve to create shock waves that enhance debris removal.
 Target plate: Periodically check strainers or debris target for particle and replace the
plate as necessary.

c) Repeated Blowing Cycles:

 Perform repeated blowing cycles, increasing steam velocity with each cycle.
 Allow the system to cool between cycles to induce thermal stress and dislodge
particles.
 Continue until no visible debris is observed in the exhaust.

d) Final Inspection:
 Inspect temporary piping and blow-off areas for debris.

Doc Title/Number: Generic Steam Blowing Procedure / C-2025-002

  Check all system components for damage or signs of stress.

6. Acceptance Criteria
a) Pipes upstream the machine
 The Blowing will be considered finished when the target plate:
 I doesn´t show marks with diameter greater than 1.5mm
 It shows number of marks below 5
 It shows progressive decrease of the marks during the series of blowing
 In any case, craters are unacceptable
 The ST manufacturer representative / Commissioning Engineer shall sign off that he is
satisfied with the Steam Blowing results.

b) Other steam pipes

 I doesn´t show marks with diameter greater than 2mm
 It shows number of marks below 10
 It shows progressive decrease of the marks during the series of blowing
 In any case, craters are unacceptable

7. Post-Steam Blowing Activities

a) Remove all temporary piping and reinstall permanent components.
b) Inspect and re-calibrate all instrumentation.
c) Conduct a pressure test to ensure system integrity.
d) Submit a detailed report, including:
 Observations during each blowing cycle.
 Results of inspections and tests.

8. Safety and Environmental Considerations

 Minimize noise pollution by using silencers.
 Continuously monitor system conditions to prevent over-pressurization or thermal
damage.

9. Documentation
 Maintain records of all procedures, observations, and test results for future reference.

10. References
 System Drawings: Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), isometric
drawings, and system layouts.

Doc Title/Number: Generic Steam Blowing Procedure / C-2025-002

  Manufacturer Guidelines: Recommendations and specifications provided by the
manufacturers of the steam generator, turbine, and high-pressure piping components.
 Industry Standards:
o ASME B31.1: Power Piping.

o ASME B16.5: Pipe Flanges & Flanged Fittings

o ASME Section VIII: Pressure Vessels.

o API 686: Recommended Practice for Machinery Installation and Installation Design.

o NFPA Standards: Relevant fire safety standards for high-temperature operations.

 Operational Guidelines: Internal standard operating procedures and quality assurance

protocols.
 Regulatory Requirements: Compliance with local safety and environmental
regulations.
 Previous Reports: Documentation and lessons learned from prior steam blowing
operations.

Doc Title/Number: Generic Steam Blowing Procedure / C-2025-002