A Collapsed Chimney
ForSci has taken on the investigation of a collapsed chimney of a biomass water tube boiler within a factory. The chimney was allegedly damaged due to windstorm.
The experts of ForSci have observed the damage displayed by the chimney. There was no distinct widespread damage at the surrounding area of the chimney. No uprooting of the surrounding vegetation. Only the chimney was found to have collapsed. While there was no external impact damage on the chimney, it had fractured along the spiral windbreaker. Significant corrosion was observed on interior surface.
Macroscopic view and metallurgical examination of the fracture section of the chimney revealed presence of oxide exfoliation and porosity. The absence of an oxide layer indicated corrosion attack on the material surface.
Our in-depth analysis of the factory’s history and chimney’s damage has led us to several discoveries, some of which include the factory’s long history of enforced shutdowns, prior corrosion damage to the upstream components, high sulphur content within the wood chips used as combustion fuel, which eventually led to crack initiation at high stress concentration area that propagated the cracks and fracture.
The conclusion for this investigation clearly indicated that the damage was due to corrosion causing significant thickness reduction and deterioration of mechanical properties. The weakened chimney then collapsed upon static loading & external wind loading.
