Corrosion in crude oil distillation units arose through the introduction of the fractional condensation method of distillation. The resultant corrosion phenomena, namely, high temperature sulphide scaling and low temperature aqueous overhead corrosion, are discussed in relation to the types of crudes processed. Alloys which are used to resist corrosion are listed. Based on several case histories of failures, an attempt is made to present the considerations which lead to a philosophy of material selection to meet each particular duty.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
The Petroleum Handbook.1948, p. 140 (Cambridge, England: Shell Petroleum Company)
2.
CouperA. S., Corrosion, 1963, 19(11), 396t
3.
SchnakeE. A., Oil Gas J., 1972, 70(51), 86
4.
BlumerA. F., Corrosion, 1948, 5, 135
5.
MottramR. A., & HathawayJ. T., Oil Gas J., 1971(Novem-ber) p.49
6.
McConomyH. F., ‘High temperature sulphidic corrosion in hydrogen free environments’. Proc. API Division of Refining, 1963, 43(111)
7.
PiehlR. L., Corrosion, 1959, 15, 305t
8.
DerungsW. A., ibid., 1956, 12, 617t
9.
Private communication, 1969
10.
HauslerR. H., & CobleN. D., Oil Gas J., 1972, 70(29), 92
11.
SamuelsonG. J., ‘Hydrogen chloride evolution from crude oils as a function of salt concentration’, 1954(Petrolite Publication)
12.
GarnerD. G., ‘Causes and prevention of pressure vessel corrosion in oil refinery processes’, Proc. Conf. Corrosion Protection, May 1973(Inst. Mech. Engnrs)
13.
ReiserK., Proc. 2nd Eur. Symp. Corrosion Inhibitors, 1965(University of Ferrara)
14.
Private communication, 1973
15.
CouperA. S., ‘Corrosion control in crude oil distillation overhead condensers’, Proc. API Division of Refining, May1964
