CORROSION MONITORING IN PAPER MACHINE

WHITE WATERS
Angela Wensley & Harry Dykstra
Bacon Donaldson Consulting Engineers
12271 Horseshoe Way
Richmond, BC, Canada
V7A 4V4
Alicja Augustyn
Avenor Inc.
2001 Neebing Avenue
Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
P7E 6S3

ABSTRACT
A year-long program of white water corrosion monitoring was
initiated at the Avenor Thunder Bay mill after rapid corrosion of
bronze couch rolls was observed. The program consisted of
weekly chemical analysis of white waters from three paper
machines, in conjunction with suction roll bronze (85Cu-5Pb5Sn-5Zn) corrosion rate monitoring by the linear polarization
resistance (LPR) method. using corrosion probes installed in
white water piping. White water corrosivity was found to be
related to the thiosulfate concentration. As the thiosulfate
concentration often exceeded 20 ppm, it was necessary to
employ corrosion inhibitors to protect the bronze rolls.

Keywords:

corrosion testing, paper machines. suction

rolls. white water

INTRODUCTION
The newsprint machines in the Avenor mill in Thunder Bay,
Ontario, have a number of suction rolls made from centrifugally
cast 1N bronze alloy (nominally 85% Cu, 5% Pb, 5% Sn, 5%
Zn), an alloy more noteworthy for its good casting properties
than for its corrosion resistance1-7.
The suction roll shells at the Thunder Bay mill are experiencing
corrosion of both the outside and inside surfaces (manifested by
the appearance of black streaks on the surfaces), and
enlargement of the suction hole bores. It has been necessary to
apply a corrosion inhibitor to showers on both the inside and
outside of the bronze suction shells, although this is an
expensive process and the need for continual application has
been questioned.

water corrosion monitoring program was initiated for three

paper machine white water systems at the Thunder Bay mill.
The program duration was one year. In that time period:
1.

White waters were sampled on a weekly basis for chemical

analysis of inorganic species, including thiosulfate and
chlorides.

2.

Six corrosion probes were installed in white water systems

for instantaneous corrosion rate monitoring of 85-5-5-5
bronze by the linear polarization resistance (LPR) method.

3.

The LPR results were verified by weight loss

measurements on the bronze electrodes, which were
removed and replaced every 3-6 months.

4.

The bronze electrodes were also examined by scanning

electron microscopy ( S E M ) a n d X - r a y e n e r g y
spectroscopy (XES) after exposure in white water systems.

EXPERIMENTAL
The white water corrosion monitoring program involved both
mill personnel and consultants. White water analysis, corrosion
probe installation, and LPR corrosion rate monitoring were
performed by Avenor personnel; data analysis, and microscopy
were performed at the Bacon Donaldson laboratory.
Monitoring Locations
Two locations on three paper machines (PMs 3,4. and 5) were
selected for corrosion monitoring by simultaneous white water
sampling and LPR corrosion rate measurements. The locations
were selected for accessibility for installation of the corrosion
probes and of nearby valves for white water sampling. The
locations selected also had high flow velocities (mostly in pipes
ahead of pumps), which prevented buildup of slimy deposits
around the probe electrodes.
The six monitoring locations were:
1.

PM3 inlet of pump from wire pit overflow to saveall.

2.

PM3 white water silo.

3.

PM4 inlet of pump from wire pit overflow to saveall.

4.

PM4 inlet of seal pit pump.

5.

PM5 white water silo.

6.

Inlet to rich white water chest.

To obtain a better understanding of the causes and control of

corrosion of bronze suction roll shells, a comprehensive white

1997 Engineering & Papermakers Conference /489