Thanks to their advantages-including corrosion resistance, lightweight construction, and ease of installation-stainless steel tower-supported chimneys have become the standard exhaust equipment in industries such as chemicals, power generation, and metallurgy. However, given their prolonged exposure to complex environments involving industrial exhaust gases, rain, snow, and harsh weather conditions, scientific maintenance is essential to extend their service life and ensure operational safety. During routine inspections, it is imperative to constantly reinforce safety protocols.
1. Inspection of Exterior and Structural Components
Tower Structure:
Inspect the steel support framework for loose welds or bolts, as well as for any signs of rust, cracks, or deformation on the surface. Pay particular attention to load-bearing areas, such as support nodes and corbels; if cracked welds are discovered, immediate re-welding is required, while loose bolts must be tightened to the specified design torque.
Chimney Stack:
Observe the stainless steel outer wall for signs of pitting, peeling, or weld corrosion. Special attention should be paid to areas prone to ash accumulation, such as the flue outlet, elbows, and tees. If localized rust spots are detected, they must be promptly sanded down and coated with an anti-corrosive primer.
Ancillary Facilities:
Inspect ladders, platforms, and safety cages for corrosion, ensuring that all guardrails are securely fastened. Test the grounding resistance of the lightning rod (which should be ≤ 4Ω) and verify that aviation obstruction lights and warning signs are intact and functional.
2. Assessment of Internal Conditions
Ash and Scale Removal:
Open the ash-removal port at the base of the chimney to inspect the thickness of ash accumulation on the inner walls. If the accumulation exceeds 50 mm, operations must be halted for cleaning. This process typically involves an initial sweep using a long-handled broom, followed by high-pressure water jetting to dislodge stubborn scale, and finally, vacuuming to remove any residual dust.
Integrity of Anti-Corrosive Lining:
Examine the internal anti-corrosive coating (e.g., glass flake lining, epoxy resin) for signs of peeling, blistering, or cracking. If the damaged area of the coating exceeds 10%, a complete re-application of the anti-corrosive treatment is required.
3. Monitoring of Operational Status
Exhaust Performance:
Observe the flue gas discharge to ensure it flows smoothly and to check for any unusual odors, black smoke, or abnormal noises. If increased resistance to gas flow is detected, it may indicate an internal blockage caused by ash accumulation, necessitating immediate cleaning.
Temperature and Pressure:
Flue gas temperature is monitored via a temperature sensor located at the top of the chimney to ensure it remains within the designed range (0°C–760°C). Should the temperature fluctuate abnormally, the boiler's combustion conditions or the integrity of the chimney's insulation layer must be inspected.