Operational considerations corrosion prevention

When column diameters are less than 0.6 m (2.0 ft) packed towers can be considerably cheaper. However, if alloy metals are necessary, plate towers may result in less cost. Using ceramic or other similar resistant materials for packing and materials of construction, packed towers can serve to handle corrosive materials and acids. Because the gas flow in packed towers may offer less degree of agitation, packed tower operation may be better for liquids that tend to foam. When liquids are thermally sensitive, packed columns may offer less holdup and thus prevent changes taking place in the liquids due to thermal reaction. 

In heat exchange reformers, special precautions must be taken to avoid corrosion. In such reformers the metal temperature is often high enough for metal dusting to occur and low enough for thermodynamic potential to exist. Special alloys or other techniques are needed to prevent metal dusting in these cases. This area is the subject of considerable research to widen the limits of operation to more severe operating conditions. 

Corrosion occurs in various forms and is promoted by a variety of causes, all related to process operating conditions to which equipment and support structures are subjected. It is a continuous problem that can lead to contaminated process streams. This subsequently leads to poor product quality and unscheduled equipment shutdowns, the consequence of which is reduced production, high maintenance costs, and equipment replacement costs. Minimizing corrosion is a key consideration for the designer and can be accomplished in two ways (1) proper material selection for apparatus, and (2) preventive nraintenance practices. Both of these approaches must be examined. 

Protection of cooling system metals involves complex interrelated problems of scale and deposit prevention, control of microbiological growths and other fouling sources, in addition to corrosion mitigation by inhibitors. Corrosion control programs may be expected to vary considerably between systems, since each installation presents different environmental factors and operating problems which affect response. 

The other major pollutant in tannery waste is the effluent from the lime-sulfide unhairing operation. The concentration of sulfides in tannery wastes may vary between 30 and 1(X) mg/L in the total effluent. The consequences of release of HjS gas in the sewer lines and the effect of reducing characteristics of the sulfides on biological treatment processes should be taken into consideration in the design of treatment works. Hydrogen sulfide is readily released from solution as a corrosive and extremely toxic gas with an obnoxious odor. By controlling the pH of the solution above 10.0, the HjS release can be minimized. If the pH of the wastewater is expected to be lower, the sulfide concentration should be reduced below 1.0 mg/L to prevent HjS odor problems. 

Cathodic protection is used widely for the protection of submerged steel in waterfront structures. It also can provide considerable benefit in the intertidal zone and can even reduce the usually high corrosion rate experienced at the boundary between the intertidal zone and the splash and spray zone. Cathodic protection also is used to prevent corrosion of the soil side of steel in marine structures such as sheet steel bulkheads. Cathodic protection also is effective in the control of the corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete in all exposure zones in waterfiont structures. Particularly for impressed current systems, it is important to select materials for the cathodic protection system components such as rectifiers and junction boxes with consideration of the environment to which they will be exposed. When considering cathodic protection, periodic inspection and maintenance is required for proper system operation. The costs for inspection and maintenance must be considered in the overall cost of cathodic protection. While there are no specific standards for cathodic protection of piers and docks, information in NACE RP0176 (Corrosion Control of Fixed Offshore Platforms Associated with Petroleum Production) and NACE RP-0187 (Design Considerations for Corrosion Control of Reinforcing Steel in Concrete) contain information that is applicable to marine piers and docks. 

Recognize corrosion problems in materials used at the site and make monitoring a normal part of the operation. Sour oil and gas operations are often conducted under high pressure and corrosive conditions. Therefore, in addition to temperature and pressure considerations, system designs for the wellhead, downhole equipment, and pipeUnes must have features to minimize the effects of corrosion and prevent an accidental release of H2S. Corrosion-inhibiting fluids can be used to prevent internal corrosion and cathodic protection can be used to prevent external corrosion. Also, during extended periods of shut-in and injection into pipelines, inhibitor applications may be beneficial. 

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