A Field Study of Corrosion and Its Control in an Oil Primary Distillation Unit

Abstract

The internal corrosion process in refinery environments is one of the major problems faced by the hydrocarbon industry, where at least five types of internal corrosion are found in an oil primary distillation unit. This situation increases with the presence of high quantities of contaminants within the crude oil and the processed hydrocarbons. The best way to understand the internal corrosion is to know the parameters and components that affect it and apply protection to the metal exposed. This work offers alternatives on the knowledge of internal corrosion problems in refinery environments and highlight electrochemical treatments in oil primary distillation units, from materials selection to suitable chemical treatment dosage of corrosion inhibitors, neutralizers and other chemical compounds for materials protection.