Abstract
The annual cost of corrosion in the United States alone is estimated to be greater than $300 billion. To combat this issue, approximately $121 billion per year are spent on methods to prevent and control corrosion. Of this total, $0.4 billion are spent on vapor corrosion inhibitors (VCI). New technologies and raw materials derived from renewable, biodegradable, and nonhazardous raw materials are of particular interest for use as VCI chemicals. As government policy continues to promote green alternatives to petrochemicals, the availability and utility of agricultural products and by-products will become economically advantageous.
The corrosion inhibitive properties of several agri-products were evaluated and screened for their corrosion inhibiting performance and to identify potential applications. The properties evaluated included contact- and vapor-corrosion inhibition, as well as the ability to provide protection against corrosive environments such as high acid concentration and salt solutions. Rust and scale removing properties were also explored. During these investigations, it was discovered that sugar beet molasses and raffinate demonstrated very good vapor corrosion inhibiting properties. The details of these findings and potential applications are reported herein.
