When first installed, cooling water systems contain contaminants associated with fabrication, such as grease, dirt, debris and mill scale. Without an effective clean-up procedure the presence of dirt can lead to the early onset of corrosion, as inhibitors are unable to form protective films on a surface contaminated with grease or rust.

This study investigated several proprietary cleaning and pre-filming procedures to determine which produced protective, passive films prior to the commissioning of new plants.

The main conclusions from this study are:

  • Alkaline degreasing produces the cleanest surface.

  • Alkaline degreasing agents should not be used if the system contains copper alloys.

  • Acidic cleaner is the most efficient rust remover.

  • The best passivation and corrosion control was given by a phosphate/polymer treatment.

Subject
Water, Materials, Corrosion rate, Corrosion scales, Cooling water systems, Degreasing, Corrosion inhibitors, Rust, Chlorine, Passivation, Carbon steel, Copper, Grease
© 2000 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).
2000
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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