Discussion on the causes of heat exchange tube corrosion (with pictures)
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The outer surface of the tube bundle has corrosion pits or even penetrations; the medium outside the tubes is crude oil before dehydration, at a temperature of around 100 degrees, and these issues are most common near the baffle plates. Based on the corrosion symptoms, what is the preliminary judgment regarding the cause of the corrosion?
In crude oil that has not undergone desalination, the corrosive agents are quite complex; sulfur and saline substances cause severe corrosion to pipelines and equipment. Generally, such heat exchangers should be equipped with sacrificial anodes. At the baffle sections, there are many dead corners where corrosion products tend to accumulate, making corrosion more likely to occur!
The heat exchanger before crude oil dehydration has a temperature of around 100 degrees. Crude oil contains various corrosive substances such as hydrogen sulfide and chlorides, which can cause electrochemical corrosion on metal surfaces; this corrosion typically takes the form of pitting corrosion. It is recommended to apply anti-corrosion treatment to heat exchanger tubes of this type.
I have a question: are there any good methods for preventing corrosion of heat exchanger tube bundles?
Such minor issues can be addressed using our 711 or 1032 anti-corrosion coatings
This is in the oil industry; graphite probably can’t withstand such high pressures, right?
Although this problem appears to be due to a few pitting spots on the heat exchanger tubes, the corrosion issue here involves relatively complex factors. Things such as the medium or metal material, etc., require further analysis to confirm. However, for heat exchanger tube bundles with moderate temperatures and pressures, using a coating layer for corrosion protection is a recommended and good method.