Polyurethane Coatings and Their Corrosion Resistance

For boiler operating below 20 bars, a recommended alkalinity rating is 140 to 700 ppm. If the alkalinity level exceeds 700 ppm, bicarbonate and carbonate will break down producing carbon dioxide and entrain in steam, as stated before. However, the best method is to remove the alkaline hardness (carbonate and bicarbonate) conclusively by using the reverse-osmosis system or demineralization.

Conclusion

Finally, condensate is corrosive and damaging to condensate piping. The danger happens when many steam engineers, based on good boiler water field-test results, feel comfortable with their boiler water treatments. Some engineers never seriously consider or even realize the potential damage that could happen to their condensate lines. This is a serious negligence. When leaks after leaks are detected, it is too late and costly repairs would be inevitable. It is the treatment of condensate return that makes it unnecessary to replace condensate piping for many years. Corrosion is known as a state of deterioration of metals that is usually caused by oxidation or chemical reactions. Corrosion of metals in the industry of oil and gas is something that is bound to happen and something that is unavoidable. But measures can be taken to see that this doesn't happen excessively. As we all know, it is very important for the industry, public and the economy of the country to make sure that everything runs well. And since the occurrence of corrosion is something that is a result of the working of the industry for its actual purpose of production of crude oil, we cannot stop the process but only look for steps that help to inhibit them. Here comes the role of corrosion inhibitors in the industry of oil and gas.

What are corrosion inhibitors and how do they work?

Inhibitors are chemicals that are used to protect the surface of metals used in oil and gas industries to prevent corrosion. They protect the surface of metals either by merging with them or by reacting with the impurities in the environment that may cause pollution. The inhibitors are dispersed onto metals from a solution, they then form a thin layer or film on the surface of the metal thereby protecting them. What is behind the film in the protection of the metal and how do they work? Well, the inhibitors help:

As the years have passed from the first introduction of inhibitors there has been immense development in the field, as studies continue based on the formulation of the inhibitors and methods of applying them. Similarly the methods used to evaluate them have also advanced, eliminating the corrosion problem.

corrosionThere are many products on the market that will provide excellent corrosion protection, but polyurethane coatings are some of the best. To understand how they work so well against corrosion, it is important to understand how corrosion occurs.

When products are made out of iron, steel, or other metals, they will return to their original state. This process that metals undergo is called corrosion. Metal corrosion is an electrochemical process. Electrons will flow from high energy areas of metal to low energy areas through a conducting solution on the surface of the metal.

The conducting solution is called an electrolyte. It is caused by water, rain moisture, or humidity. There does not need to be many electrolytes in order to cause corrosion. Just 60 percent relative humidity will form an electrolyte that causes corrosion.