“Crude distillation overhead system”: Corrosion and Control.

Abstract

Abstract Corrosion problem has been a major challenge in the crude distillation overhead system of the petrochemical industry. It affects every part of the metallic structures of the crude distillation overhead system due to contaminants from crude oil. As a result of this, lots of revenue are been incurred to tackle it. This review therefore discussed the definition of a crude distillation overhead system, its working principle, the structural material for constructing crude distillation overhead system, the types of corrosion that occurs in crude distillation overhead system, the economic cost, the prevention and control methods employed in crude distillation overhead system. Also, the review showed that materials used for crude distillation overhead system, such as carbon steels, are mostly affected by pitting corrosion, intergranular corrosion and general corrosion. In addition, the review showed that the use of material selection, inhibitors, protective coating and cathodic protection are the common prevention and control methods usually employed in crude distillation overheard system. However, the review stated that the use of inhibitor is the most trusted and time tested as the proven method of prevention and control in crude distillation overhead system. This will help to reduce the huge economic cost incurred on corrosion effect in petrochemical industry, especially in the crude distillation overhead system.