This paper describes the corrosion caused by organic naphthenic acids, contained in some Venezuelan crudes. Corrosion caused by naphthenic acids, occurs mainly in atmospheric and vacuum distillation process units. Factors such as neutralization number, operating temperature, fluid velocities, turbulence, etc., have strong influences on the severity of the corrosive attack. The areas most affected are: furnace tubes, transfer lines, tower packing, pump internals, valves and fittings. Although naphthenic acids can be removed from the crude feed, or neutralized, our method of controlling corrosion has been to use austenitic type stainless steel, such as AISI type 316, in locations susceptible to rapid corrosion. In other locations, 5Cr-1/2 Mo and 9Cr-1 Mo alloy steels have been sufficient to provide an acceptable life. Our experiences with naphthenic acid corrosion and the correct alloy selection, to handle a range of naphthenic acid levels and processing conditions, will be detailed in this paper.

Subject
Acids, Materials, Naphthenic acid, Corrosion rate, Distillation, Neutralization, Furnaces, Steel, Crude, Towers, Carbon steel, Corrosion resistance, Lining
© 1983 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).
1983
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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