Data from field corrosion studies in seven wet scrubber systems are surveyed to assess environmental effects on alloy performance. Units studied include utility boiler flue gas desulfurization systems utilizing lime, limestone, double alkali and sodium sulfide as absorbents plus water scrubbers on refuse and. sewage sludge incinerators. The data illustrate the severity of corrosion problems which can occur in the variety of environments produced by these complex wet chemical processes. Important considerations include pH, temperature, chlorides, absorbent oxidation stage, acid condensation, and alkaline scaling. Unprotected carbon steel consistently shows unacceptable corrosion resistance except in areas restricted to exposure to hot, dry flue gas. Stainless steels and more highly alloyed materials provide useful corrosion resistance but alloy selection must consider specific environmental conditions. Particularly corrosive environments are encountered in inlet pre-scrubbers and exit ducting subjected to acidic condensates. Corrosivity is often compounded by introduction of high chloride levels from fuel sources or use of closed loop water systems.

Subject
Corrosion resistant alloys, Stainless alloys, Flue gas desulfurization, Scrubbers, Corrosion testing, Acidity, Incinerators, Steel, Corrosion data, Corrosion resistance, Stainless steel, Alloys, Chlorides
© 1981 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
1981
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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