ABSTRACT

Materials selection has become one of the most important factors in the design and repair of refinery processing equipment. Processing crude oil with high naphthenic acid (TAN) and high sulfur content can lead to high corrosion rates in stainless steels at temperature approximately of 350 °C. This paper presents the results of laboratory and field tests conducted to assess the corrosion resistance of different materials used in refinery construction, especially stainless steels type 316L (UNS S31603), type 317L (UNS S31703) and a new generation of 400 series stainless type 444 (UNS S44400). The laboratory tests were carried in a dynamic autoclave using a rotation speed of 600 rpm. Field test consisted of exposing corrosion coupons in the transfer line between furnace and atmospheric tower. Results have shown that stainless type 444 is an alternative material at processing crudes with high sulfur and naphthenic acid content.

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