Report on the PPCHEM Seminar "Monitoring and Avoidance of Chemical Issues in Water-Steam Cycles" held in Erfurt, Germany, in 2026

ABSTRACT

For the first time, the PPCHEM Seminar "Monitoring and Avoidance of Chemical Issues in Water-Steam Cycles" took place in Germany. This PPCHEM seminar series addresses important questions about the significance of water-steam chemistry, which parameters need to be measured, and how to effectively interpret and use the resulting data. It also highlights the risks of operating outside proper chemical limits and stresses the importance of proper instrumentation to detect issues early and prevent damage.

The chemistry of the water-steam cycle is critical to all power plants, regardless of their size or purpose. Precise monitoring and control of chemical conditions are essential to ensure the cycle operates safely, efficiently, and economically. Any contamination or deviation from recommended values must be quickly detected and corrected.

This report summarizes the two days of the PPCHEM Seminar 2026 in Erfurt, Germany, which was held under the patronage of PPCHEM AG, with financial sponsorship from SWAN Analytical Instruments and REICON Wärmetechnik und Wasserchemie Leipzig GmbH.

REFERENCES

• Werder, T., Rziha, M., "Conferences and Seminars Organized by PPCHEM AG – An Overview", PPCHEM 2021, 23(4), 180.
  Available from https://ppchem.com/insight-search/.
• Werder, T., "Report on the Power Cycle Instrumentation Seminar (PCIS) Germany 2025", PPCHEM 2025, 27(2), 68.
  Available from https://ppchem.com/insight-search/.
• EPRI: https://www.epri.com/
  IAPWS: http://www.iapws.org/
  vgbe: https://www.vgbe.energy/
• vgbe-Standard: Feed Water, Boiler Water and Steam Quality for Power Plants/Industrial Plants, 2023. vgbe energy e.V. & vgbe energy service GmbH, Essen, Germany, VGBE-S-010-00-2023-08-EN.
  Available from https://www.vgbe.energy/.
• VGB Standard: Sampling and Physico-Chemical Monitoring of Water and Steam Cycles, 2012. vgbe energy e.V. & vgbe energy service GmbH, Essen, Germany, VGB-S-006-00-2012-09-EN.
  Available from https://www.vgbe.energy/.
• vgbe-Standard: Cooling Water Systems and Cooling Water Treatment, 2022. vgbe energy e.V. & vgbe energy service GmbH, Essen, Germany, VGBE-S-455-00-2022-12-EN. 
  Available from https://www.vgbe.energy/.
• Technical Guidance Document: Application of Film Forming Substances in Industrial Steam Generators, 2019. International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam, IAPWS TGD11-19.
  Available from https://iapws.org/.
• Technical Guidance Document: 2019 Revision. Application of Film Forming Substances in Fossil, Combined Cycle, and Biomass Power Plants, 2019. International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam, IAPWS TGD8-16(2019). Available from https://iapws.org/.
• Wagner, R., "How to Analyze Film-Forming Amines – Analytical Methods and Best Practices", PPCHEM 2025, 27(1), 38.
  DOI: https://doi.org/10.69158/PPCHEM.2025.01.038.