Corrosion challenges and prevention in Ethyl Acetate (EA) production and related processes – An overview

Abstract

Ethyl Acetate (EA) production plants are among the many industrial facilities where corrosion is a major concern. EA plant suffers from various forms of corrosion because of the simultaneous use of strong mineral acids, high temperature and flow environment, presence of aqueous environment, and feedstock contamination. Stainless steels, which are mostly used in EA plants, owed their protective characteristics to their metallurgical composition and the characteristic to form a thin passive oxide layer upon exposure to the atmosphere. However, mineral acids and chloride attacks and the subsequent breakdown of passive films have resulted in continuous corrosion challenges in EA plants. The involvement of various corrosive factors in EA plants has worsened the corrosion problems and often complicate understanding the sources/causes of corrosion. This review article discusses the various corrosion problems, causes, mechanisms, as well as control and preventive strategies in ethyl acetate production and related processes. The influence of strong organic and inorganic acids, such as H2SO4, MSA, HNO3, acetic acid, and formic acid were discussed based on their corrosiveness on stainless steel. Furthermore, this article highlights the corrosion types, management, and monitoring methods within EA plants. Finally, the existing knowledge gaps and future research directions are outlined.