<![CDATA[The boiler is a critical component in coal-fired power plants (CFPP), serving as the primary unit for steam generation. The generated steam drives the turbine blades, causing rotor rotation and subsequently generating electricity through an induced electromotive force (EMF) in the generator. A failure in the boiler Waterwall Tube may result in a unit trip, commonly preceded by an abnormal increase in water consumption. This study investigates the root cause of Waterwall Tube failure in the boiler of Nagan Raya CFPP using the Root Cause Analysis (RCA) method. RCA is a structured approach that focuses on identifying the fundamental cause of a problem rather than addressing its symptoms. The investigation revealed that Waterwall Tube damage was primarily caused by high particle velocity and density in the circulating fluidized bed, which eroded the boiler’s heat transfer surface. The erosion mechanism was driven by combustion bed material abrasion and combustion air turbulence at the furnace’s 35-meter elevation. Operational data confirmed an imbalance in combustion airflow and pressure, where the rear side was lower than the front, disrupting bed material circulation and accelerating erosion. Supporting tests indicated no abnormalities in boiler water quality, no crack indications from dye penetrant testing, and tube material composition within acceptable limits. This study concludes that the failure was dominated by erosion due to abnormal bed material circulation and provides recommendations to mitigate similar failures in the future]]>
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