2026 EUCCW

HRSG vs. Conventional Steam Generators: Nuances in Water/Steam Chemistry Control

January 19, 2026

09:00 AM - 09:45 AM

Instructor: Brad Buecker, SAMCO Technologies and Buecker & Associates, LLC

As combined cycle power plants have become a large part of the U.S. energy portfolio, operators face both similarities and differences in managing water/steam chemistry compared to conventional coal-fired units. Like their predecessors, heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs) demand high-purity makeup and steam. However, multi-pressure HRSG designs often require different chemistry regimes or control ranges for each evaporator circuit, adding complexity. At the same time, HRSG feedwater systems are generally less intricate than those of coal plants, which can simplify certain aspects of chemistry control.

This paper will explore the unique challenges and advantages of HRSG chemistry management, providing guidance on best practices to ensure reliability, efficiency and long-term equipment protection.

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Cleco

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Entergy

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Svensk Kraftreserv

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Maddox Industrial Transformer