This invention relates to a recovery boiler as used by the pulp and paper industry burning black liquor, and, more particularly, to a method for rapid detection of tube failures and the location of the affect heat exchanger within the recovery boiler, without need for direct instrumentation, thereby preventing more serious equipment damage, preventing boiler explosion, preventing injury to operators and minimizing repair time on the affected heat exchanger. This method is applicable to Input/Loss methods of monitoring recovery boilers.