Vanadium pentoxide in oil-fired furnaces

Vanadium Pentoxide is a combustion product of the Vanadium naturally found in fuel oil. Vanadium Pentoxide is deposited as soot and ash in oil-fired boilers, and poses a health threat to individuals working in power plants. A recent study of Vanadium Pentoxide levels encountered by boilermakers during maintenance operations conducted as part of a unit outage at a major power plant revealed Vanadium Pentoxide levels which were routinely above the OSHA exposure limit of 0.05 mg/m3. This paper describes the sources and properties of Vanadium Pentoxide, reviews regulations which govern exposure to Vanadium Pentoxide and presents the results and conclusions of the study cited above. This paper provides information that will help power plant personnel ensure a safe working environment for boilermakers and construction trade personnel during boiler outages