Corrosion is the destructive attack of a metal by chemical or electrochemical reaction with its environment. It’s called “anti-metallurgy” because it tends to bring the metals back to their state of being in nature, mixed with other elements (especially with O2). Deterioration by physical causes is not called corrosion, but erosion, galling, or wear. There are different types of corrosion: uniform, pitting, crevice, intergranular, galvanic, etc., and are related to different sectors: infrastructure, utilities, production, manufacturing and transportation. These costs reached 2.5 trillion US$ corresponding to 3.4% of Global Gross Domestic Product. The Nace International Institute has estimated that the application of techniques for preventing corrosion can save 375-875 billion US$ (15- 35% of the total cost).
Corrosion is widespread in oil and gas refining; indeed, refining processes works at high level of pressure and temperature. In addition, due to harmful fluids, specific corrosions (sulfidic corrosion, naphthenic acid corrosion, sour water corrosion etc.) are related.
The European Commission’s report on “Corrosion Related Accidents in Petroleum Refineries” highlights that the most sensitive equipment, in the 99 refineries analyzed, is the distillation unit (23% of failures) followed by hydro treatments equipment (20%); 17% of failures occurred in the pipeline for transport between units, 4% in tubes of heat exchanger and cooling equipment, 15% took place in storage tanks, whereas the rest involved other equipment component like trays, drums and towers.
Controlling the impact of corrosion requires designers and engineers to consider the effects at stage 1 of the design process. Working with material scientists and maintenance specialists will ensures that equipment parts work throughout the entire service lifecycle.
As we take better care of the assets that we protect and the environment in which they are contained, we also consider the scientific advancements and research development in the raw materials that the earth has already provided for us.
We present to you, “Top 10 Corrosion Services Providers – 2022.”
