Skip to main content

Corrosion Control during Acid Cleaning of Heat Exchangers

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Corrosion and Fouling Control in Desalination Industry
  • 897 Accesses

Abstract

Heat exchangers are vital equipment for thermal desalination industry for desalting system or heat recovery purpose to increase thermal efficiency. Most of the existing heat exchangers are in contact with seawater cooling medium which induces a time-dependent phenomenon: the “scaling”. The necessity to shut-down the equipment for chemical cleaning which is most of the time based on acids requires a proper procedure with strict control on performance indicators challenged by a variety of metallic alloys. The present chapter discusses the acid cleaning methods used for descaling and the associated base metal protection. The related aspects such as the acid used, acid concentration, flowing conditions and the selection of corrosion inhibitor are described.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Health Safety and Environment

References

  1. T.K. Hou, S. Kazi, A. Mahat, C.B. Teng, A. Al-Shamma’a, A. Shaw, Industrial heat exchangers: Operation and maintenance to minimize fouling and corrosion. in Heat Exchangers – Advanced Features and Applications, ed. by S.M.S. Murshed, M.M. Lopes, (Intechopen, 2017), ISBN: 978-953-51-3092-5

    Google Scholar 

  2. J. Cowan, D. Weintritt, Water-Formed Scale Deposits, (Gulf Publishing, Houston, 1976), ISBN: 978-0872018969

    Google Scholar 

  3. T.R. Bott, Fouling of Heat Exchangers, (Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1995), ISBN: 9780444821867

    Google Scholar 

  4. M.M. Awad, Fouling of heat transfer surfaces. in Heat Transfer: Theoretical Analysis, Experimental Investigations and Industrial Systems, ed. by A. Belmiloudi, (Intechopen, 2011), ISBN: 978-953-307-226-5

    Google Scholar 

  5. J. Zhao, M. Wang, H.M.S. Lababidi, H. Al-Adwani, K.K. Gleason, A review of heterogeneous nucleation of calcium carbonate and control strategies for scale formation in multi stage flash (MSF) desalination plants. Desalination 442, 75–88 (2018)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. M.A.K. Al-Sofi, Fouling phenomena in multi stage flash (MSF) distillers. Desalination 126, 61–76 (1999)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. K. Krömer, S. Will, K. Loisel, S. Nied, J. Detering, A. Kempter, H. Glade, Scale formation and mitigation of mixed salts in horizontal tube falling film evaporators for seawater desalination. Heat Transf. Eng. 36, 750–762 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. A.M.S. El-Din, R.A. Mohammed, Brine and scale chemistry in MSF distillers. Desalination 99, 73–111 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. E1Din AMS, E1-Dahshan ME, R.A. Mohammed, Scale formation in flash chambers of high-temperature MSF distillers. Desalination 177, 241–258 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. E. Ghiazza, A.M. Ferro, The Scaling of Tubes in MSF Evaporators: A Critical Review across 20 Years of Operational Experience (IDA world congress, Manama, 2002). https://www.fisiait.com/static/upload/ghi/ghiazza_05.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  11. P. Budhiraja, A.A. Fares, Studies on scale formation and optimization of antiscalant dosing in multi-effect thermal desalination units. Desalination 220, 313–325 (2008)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. A.U. Malik, I. Andijani, A. Al-Mubayaed, Comparative study on the use of sulfamic, sulfuric and hydrochloric acid as descalants for brine heater and heat recovery tubes. SWCC Technical Report No. 36, 1995

    Google Scholar 

  13. T.M. Wolejsza, E.J. Lemieux, K.E. Lucas, Evaluation of a Phosphoric Acid Based Descaling Solvent for Shipboard Cleaning of Seawater Heat Exchangers. NACE-03261, Corrosion 2003, NACE International, Houston, 2003

    Google Scholar 

  14. E.J. Lemieux, R. Bayles, T.M. Newbauer, K.E. Lucas, Evaluation of descaling chemicals for use with titanium, alloy 625 and nickel copper alloy heat exchanger and piping system components. Corrosion 2006, NACE-06289, NACE International, Houston, 2006

    Google Scholar 

  15. M.S. Tahir, M. Saleem, Experimental study of chemical de-scaling – effect of acid concentration. J. Faculty Eng. Technol, 1–9 (2007-2008). https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/51ba/4d1797de617ff85a85212e14f2a178d68dac.pdf

  16. C.Y. Kwong, L.K. Kuen, Chemical removal of calcium sulphate scale-plant experience of Lok on Pai desalter. Desalination 30, 359–371 (1979)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. A.M. Shams El-Din, H.A. El Shayeb, F.M. Abdel Wahab, Stability of titanium tubes toward acid wash. J. Electroanal. Chem. 214, 567–587 (1986)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. W.T. Hanbury, T. Hodgkiess, K. Al-Omari, Aspects of acid cleaning operations in MSF plants. Desalination 158, 1 (2003)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. T. Hodgkiess, K. Al-Omari, K. Bontems, B. Lesiak, Acid cleaning of thermal desalination plant: Do we need to use corrosion inhibitors? Desalination 183, 209–216 (2005)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. T.M.H. Saber, M.K. Tag El Din, A.M. Shams El Din, Dibutyl thiourea as corrosion inhibitor for acid washing of multistage flash distillation plant. Br. Corros. J. 27(2), 139–143 (1992)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. J. Kish, N. Stead, D. Singbeil, Corrosion of stainless steel in sulfamic acid cleaning solutions. Corrosion 2006, NACE-07205, NACE International, Houston, 2007

    Google Scholar 

  22. D.C. Silverman, Aqueous Corrosion, in Corrosion: Fundamentals, Testing, and Protection, ed. by S. D. Cramer, B. S. Covino, vol. 13A., ASM Handbook, (ASM International, 2003), pp. 190–195

    Google Scholar 

  23. B.T. Ellison, W.R. Schmea, Corrosion of steel in concentrated sulfuric acid. J. Electrochem. Soc. 125, 524–531 (1978)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. R.J. Chin, K. Nobe, Electrodissolution kinetics of iron in chloride solutions. J. Electrochem. Soc. 119, 1457–1461 (1972)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. J.A. Richardson, Corrosion in sulfuric acid, in Shreir’s Corrosion, (Elsevier, 2010), pp. 1226–1249

    Google Scholar 

  26. J.A. Richardson, Corrosion in hydrogen halides and hydrohalic acids, in Shreir’s Corrosion, (Elsevier, 2010), pp. 1207–1225

    Google Scholar 

  27. B. Alexandre, A. Caprani, J.C. Charbonnier, M. Keddam, P.H. Morel, The influence of chromium on the mass transfer limitation of the anodic dissolution of ferritic steels Fe-Cr in molar sulfuric acid. Corros. Sci. 21, 765–780 (1981)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. The corrosion resistance of nickel containing alloys in sulfuric acid and related compounds, CEB-1, International Nickel Company, Inc., (1983), https://www.nickelinstitute.org/media/1829/thecorrosionresistanceofnickel_containingalloysinsulphuricacidandrelatedcompounds_1318_.pdf

  29. Resistance of nickel and high nickel alloys to corrosion by hydrochloric acid, hydrogen chloride, and chlorine, CEB-3, International nickel company, Inc., (1974), https://www.nickelinstitute.org/media/1776/resistanceofnickelandhigh_nickelalloystocorrosionbyhydrochloricacid_hydrogenchlorideandchlorine_279_.pdf

  30. G. Bianchi, F. Mazza, S. Torchio, Stress-corrosion cracking of austenitic stainless steel in hydrochloric acid media at room temperature. Corros. Sci. 13, 165–173 (1973)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. B. Krawczyk, P. Cook, J. Hobbs, D.L. Engelberg, Corrosion behavior of cold rolled type 316L stainless steel in HCl-containing environments. Corrosion 73, 1346–1358 (2017)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. D.C. Silverman, Derivation and application of EMF-pH diagrams. in Electrochemical Techniques for Corrosion Engineers, ed. by R. Baboian, (NACE International, 1986)

    Google Scholar 

  33. B. Craig, D. Anderson, Handbook of Corrosion Data, (ASM international, 1995)

    Google Scholar 

  34. I. Andijani, S. Ahmad, A.U. Malik, Corrosion behavior of titanium metal in the presence of inhibited sulfuric acid at 50 °C. Desalination 129, 45–51 (2000)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. H. Satoh, Hydrogen absorption and its prevention of titanium in a simulated descaling environment in a desalination plant. Desalination 97, 45–51 (1994)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. J. Been, J.S. Grauman, Titanium and titanium alloys, in Uhlig Corrosion Handbook, (Wiley, 2011), p. 861

    Google Scholar 

  37. Corrosion, Metals Handbook, Vol 13, (ASM Handbook, 1987)

    Google Scholar 

  38. P.A. Schweitzer, Fundamentals of Corrosion: Mechanisms, Causes, and Preventative Methods. (CRC Press, Taylor and Francis, 2010), ISBN 9781420067705, p. 318

    Google Scholar 

  39. R. Hausler, Corrosion inhibition and inhibitors. in Corrosion Chemistry, ed. by G.R. Brubaker, P.B.P. Phipps, ACS Symposium Series, 89, 262, (American Chemical Society, 1979)

    Google Scholar 

  40. A. Khamis, M.M. Saleh, M.I. Awad, B.E. El-Anadouli, Enhancing the inhibition action of cationic surfactant with sodium halides for mild steel in 0.5 M H2SO4. Corros. Sci. 74, 83–91 (2013)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. D. Asefi, M. Arami, N.M. Mahmoodi, Electrochemical effect of cationic gemini surfactant and halide salts on corrosion inhibition of low carbon steel in acid medium. Corros. Sci. 52, 794–800 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. F.K. Crundwell, The anodic dissolution of 90% copper-10% nickel alloy in hydrochloric acid solutions. Electrochim. Acta 36, 2135–2141 (1991)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. H. Kaiser, G.A. Eckstein, Corrosion of alloys, in Corrosion and Oxides Films, ed. by M. Stratmann, G. S. Frankel, (Wiley-VCH, 2003)

    Google Scholar 

  44. M.G. Alvarez, J.R. Galvele, Pitting corrosion, in Shreir’s Corrosion, (Elsevier, 2010), pp. 772–800

    Google Scholar 

  45. Hart E (2016) Corrosion Inhibitors: Principles, Mechanisms and Applications. Nova Science publisher, ISBN: 978-1-63485-791-8

    Google Scholar 

  46. V.S. Sastri, Green Corrosion Inhibitors – Theory and Practice (Wiley, 2011). 9780470452103

    Google Scholar 

  47. R.W. Revie, H.H. Uhlig, Corrosion and corrosion control, 4th edn. (Wiley, 2007)

    Google Scholar 

  48. M.A. Quraishi, R. Sardar, Di-thiazolidines- A new class of heterocyclic inhibitors for prevention of mild steel corrosion in hydrochloric acid solution. Corrosion 58, 103–107 (2002)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. A.L.D. Baddini, S.P. Cardoso, E. Hollauer, J.A.D.P. Gome, Statistical analysis of a corrosion inhibitor family on three steel surfaces (duplex, super-13 and carbon) in hydrochloric acid solutions. Electrochim. Acta 53, 434–446 (2007)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. H. Ashassi-Sorkhabi, M.R. Majidi, K. Seyyedi, Investigation of inhibition effect of some amino acids against steel corrosion in HCl solution. Appl. Surf. Sci. 225, 176–185 (2004)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. M.A. Amin, K.F. Khaled, Q. Mohsen, H.A. Arida, A study of the inhibition of iron corrosion in HCl solutions by some amino acids. Corros. Sci. 52, 1684–1695 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. M. Lashgari, M.R. Arshadi, S. Miandari, The enhancing power of iodide on corrosion prevention of mild steel in the presence of a synthetic soluble Schiff-base: Electrochemical and surface analyses. Electrochim. Acta 55, 6058–6063 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. M.A. Hegazy, A.M. Hasan, M.M. Emara, M.F. Bakr, A.H. Youssef, Evaluating four synthesized Schiff base as corrosion inhibitors on the carbon steel in 1M hydrochloric acid. Corros. Sci. 65, 67–76 (2012)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. V. Rajeswari, D. Kesavan, M. Gopiraman, P. Viswanathamurthi, Inhibition of cast iron corrosion in acid, base and neutral media using Schiff Base derivatives. J. Surfact. Deterg. 16, 571–580 (2013)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. E.M. Sherif, S.M. Park, Effect of 2-Amino-5-ethylthio-1,3,4-thiadiazole on copper corrosion as a corrosion inhibitor in aerated acidic pickling solutions. Electrochim. Acta 51, 6556–6562 (2006)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. E.M. Sherif, S.M. Park, Inhibition of copper corrosion in acidic pickling solutions by N-phenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine. Electrochim. Acta 51, 4665–4673 (2006)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. J.B. Matos, L.P. Pereira, S.M.L. Agostinho, O.E. Barcia, G.O. Cordeiro, E. D’Elia, Effect of cysteine on the anodic dissolution of copper in sulfuric acid medium. J. Electroanal. Chem. 570, 91–94 (2004)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. N. Caliskan, E. Akbas, The inhibition effect of some pyrimidine derivatives on austenitic stainless steel in acidic media. Mater. Chem. Phys. 126, 983–988 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. O. Sanni, A.P.I. Popoola, O.S.I. Fayomi, Enhanced corrosion resistance of stainless steel type 316 in sulphuric acid solution using eco-friendly waste product. Results Phys. 9, 225–230 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. A.U. Malik, I. Andijani, A. Al-Mubayed, Comparative study of sulfamic acid, sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid as descalants for brine heater and heat recovery tubes. SWCC-RDC Technical report No. 36, 1995

    Google Scholar 

  61. A.R. Abu Dayyeh, R. Hamdan, W.F. Zaki, A.S. Abutalib, Cleaning of the cooling tubes in the MSF evaporators and its effect in maintaining the plant performance. IDA World Congress, Paper No. 135, 8–13 March 2002, Manama

    Google Scholar 

  62. A. Meroufel, A. Al-Enazi, Green corrosion development for MSF acid cleaning. Unpublished results

    Google Scholar 

  63. NACE, TM0193, Laboratory corrosion testing of metals in static chemical cleaning solutions at temperatures below 93 °C. NACE, Houston

    Google Scholar 

  64. M.A. Amin, K.F. Khaled, S.A. Fadl-Allah, Testing validity of Tafel extrapolation and monitoring corrosion of cold rolled steel in HCl solutions- experimental and theoretical studies. Corros. Sci. 52, 140–151 (2010)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Abdelkader A. Meroufel .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Meroufel, A.A. (2020). Corrosion Control during Acid Cleaning of Heat Exchangers. In: Saji, V.S., Meroufel, A.A., Sorour, A.A. (eds) Corrosion and Fouling Control in Desalination Industry. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34284-5_10

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics