Corrosion failures of austenitic and duplex stainless steels in a biodiesel plant

ABSTRACT The neutralization of catalysts with hydrochloric acid is an important step in a biodiesel process which generates steel corrosion due to the decrease in pH, and the addition of chlorides in the medium. Other factor responsible for corrosion and consequently failures is the poor miscibility between biodiesel and acid water generating a heterogeneous coverage of the surface of the pipelines and equipment by biodiesel and acid water, presence of galvanic cells and localized corrosion. In this paper, corrosion failures of AISI 316L and 904L austenitic stainless steels (SS), and of SAF 2205, 2507 duplex SS in a biodiesel plant were identified and studied. The low pH, presence of chlorides, high thermal input in welding, temperature gradient and mainly proximity to the acid injection site play the major roles in corrosion which generate the studied failures. Corrosion failures occurred in pipes transporting biodiesel and acid water, in a spool of acid water injection, in a static biodiesel mixer with acidic water, in a cylindrical decanter vessel, and in heat exchangers.