IEC TS 61370-2002 PDF

Full title and description

IEC/TS 61370:2002 — Steam turbines — Steam purity. A Technical Specification that describes the importance of the chemical characteristics of steam supplied to steam turbines and provides guideline values and verification procedures intended to minimise corrosion, deposition and loss of turbine performance. It is published in English and French and was issued as Edition 1.0 in 2002.

Abstract

This Technical Specification explains why control of steam chemistry is necessary for turbine integrity and performance. It covers categories of plant and operating regimes, recommended sampling locations and measured parameters (for example cation conductivity, sodium and silica), the significance of those parameters, and includes an informative annex with guideline values and diagnostic/action tables to help turbine owners/operators interpret results. The specification was written primarily for new plant but may be adapted for existing installations; geothermal-fed turbines are explicitly excluded.

General information

• Status: Withdrawn (withdrawal date: 28 February 2019).
• Publication date: 20 June 2002 (Edition 1.0).
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Technical Committee TC 5 (Steam turbines).
• ICS / categories: 27.040 (Gas and steam turbines; steam engines).
• Edition / version: 1.0 (2002).
• Number of pages: 33 pages (base publication).

Scope

Specifies steam-purity guidance intended to protect steam turbines of any electrical output and for any exhaust condition (condensing or back-pressure). The document concentrates on the chemical characteristics of steam, sampling/analysis strategies and interpretation of measured parameters to prevent corrosion, deposition and associated efficiency or output losses. It is intended for conventional steam-users and excludes turbines fed directly from geothermal sources.

Key topics and requirements

• Rationale for steam-purity control: mechanisms of corrosion, deposition and efficiency loss affecting turbine components.
• Categories of plant and operating regimes: guidance for reheat/non‑reheat plants and for start-up/commissioning phases.
• Sampling and analysis: recommended sampling locations, continuous vs intermittent measurement and standard analytical parameters.
• Measured parameters and their significance: cation conductivity, sodium, silica, chloride, sulphate, iron, copper and consideration of alternative additives.
• Annex of guideline values: recommended guideline limits for key and diagnostic parameters and a table of actions for deviations from guidelines (informative).
• Verification and interpretation: procedures for using measurements to diagnose issues and for selecting corrective actions to protect turbine integrity.

Typical use and users

Primary users are steam-turbine OEMs, plant chemists, power-plant operators, commissioning engineers, service organisations and consultants responsible for turbine reliability and performance. The TS is used when establishing steam chemistry specifications for new units, during commissioning and for developing site-specific monitoring and action plans to prevent corrosion and deposition.

Related standards

National adoptions and identical documents exist (for example DD IEC/TS 61370 and NEN/NVN identical editions; GB/T 28553:2012 is listed as an identical national standard). Related guidance and standards on boiler water chemistry and boiler/auxiliary systems (for example national boiler codes and EN boiler-series documents) are commonly consulted alongside this TS when specifying steam purity for a complete plant chemistry policy. Note: the TS itself was withdrawn in 2019; users should check for more recent national or industry guidance where applicable.

Keywords

steam purity; steam turbines; steam chemistry; cation conductivity; sodium; silica; chloride; sulphate; corrosion control; deposition; sampling; monitoring; turbine protection.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC/TS 61370:2002 is an IEC Technical Specification titled "Steam turbines — Steam purity" that provides guideline values, sampling/verification guidance and interpretative advice aimed at protecting steam turbines from chemical-related damage.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the need for steam-purity control, plant categories and operating regimes, sampling locations and analytical parameters (e.g., cation conductivity, sodium, silica, chloride, sulphate, iron, copper), significance of those parameters and an informative annex with guideline values and actions for deviations.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Turbine OEMs, power‑plant chemists and operators, commissioning and maintenance engineers, consultants and service organisations who set or verify steam‑chemistry requirements and corrective actions.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The IEC webstore lists IEC/TS 61370:2002 as Withdrawn (withdrawal date 28 February 2019). Some national catalogues note the document was withdrawn without replacement; users should consult their national standards body or industry guidance for any newer or nationally adopted guidance.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is a standalone Technical Specification developed by IEC TC 5 (Steam turbines). Related IEC and national standards address turbines, boilers and water/steam systems; identical or adopted national versions have existed (for example DD IEC/TS 61370 and GB/T 28553:2012).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Steam purity, steam chemistry, cation conductivity, silica, sodium, chloride, sulphate, corrosion, deposition, turbine protection, sampling and monitoring.