The suitability of aluminum for handling low molecular weight fatty acids and anhydrides for temperatures up to about 50 C has been demonstrated by extensive laboratory tests and confirmed by actual service experience for over 30 years. At the boiling temperature aluminum is highly resistant to acetic, propionic and butyric acids containing from about 0.2 or 0.3 percent to 1 or 2 percent water, but not to solutions containing higher or lower amounts of water. These acids, anhydrides and their mixtures have been processed, stored or shipped in aluminum storage tanks, heating coils, drums, tank cars, piping, valves, stills, heat exchangers and reaction vessels. In addition to excellent resistance to corrosion, aluminum equipment has an added advantage in that it does not contaminate these products nor alter their water-white appearance.
4.4.2
