Acetic acid heater
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In the company’s production process, a heater needs to be designed to heat acetic acid; the steam is used to raise the temperature of the acetic acid to 100 degrees. The heated acetic acid generates a pressure of 0.8 MP, so the heater must be able to withstand this pressure. Metal ions must not be introduced into acetic acid. Could the experts please help resolve this? Is there such a heater?
Can ceramic heaters be used? We have two brands from Germany: HELIOS and ELMESS. The former is suitable for ordinary use, while the latter is designed for professional, explosion-proof applications. Ma Yaoguang 021-52193637
A titanium heater can be chosen. In the middle of the container, a coiled heater can be used, or a shell-and-tube heat exchanger can be employed to apply heating via steam or heat transfer oil. Titanium does not corrode in acetic acid, and no metal ions are released into it.
Metals are bound to corrode in acetic acid; it’s only a matter of the rate of corrosion. At this temperature, the corrosion rate of Ti is less than 2Mil/year. (MIL, one thousandth of an inch) Reply to the original poster: I’m not aware of what your acetic acid concentration is, and I also want to know what the minimum level is regarding the absence of metal ions, as you mentioned. At operating conditions of 200 degrees and 0.8 MPa, materials such as 316L, Ti, and Ta can all be used, but the price increases gradually. If the inclusion of metal ions is not allowed, among non-metals only graphite heat exchangers are an option, but reinforced graphite should be used for this purpose. I have no experience with a pressure of 0.8, so I don’t dare to give an opinion. The highest value I’ve used was 0.3.
Among the equipment used in acetic acid production, zirconium materials are those with the best acid resistance. Zirconium has better corrosion resistance than titanium, and is close to that of niobium and tantalum ； It has strong corrosion resistance and is insoluble in hydrofluoric acid and aqua regia. But there are absolutely no metal ions in use; therefore graphite material might have to be used, although its strength is much lower.
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Based on what you’ve provided, \"in the company’s production process, it is necessary to design a heater for heating acetic acid; the steam is used to raise the temperature of the acetic acid to 100 degrees. The heated acetic acid generates a pressure of 0.8 MP, so the heater must be able to withstand this pressure.\" Metal ions must not be introduced into acetic acid. I hope the experts here can help figure this out – is there such a heater? In my opinion, 316L material is more than sufficient for these requirements; 316L can be used for the tubes where acetic acid flows, while carbon steel will do for the shell side. By the way, what is the concentration of acetic acid you use for heating?
At a temperature of 100 degrees, the corrosion of titanium tubes by acetic acid is 0; therefore, using titanium is no problem
For such operating conditions, using titanium and zirconium is a bit of a waste! ~Personally, I think stainless steel should be more than sufficient to meet his requirements. 316L stainless steel, after undergoing special treatment processes, can be fully utilized in clean areas such as those for pharmaceutical injections. I don’t know that metal ions cannot be introduced into acetic acid; I’m not sure whether the original poster meant this absolutely or relatively.
By the way, regarding the corrosion issue caused by acetic acid! ~That also needs to be taken into consideration!