Development of Improved Corrosion Inhibitors for Ammonia-Water Absorption Heat Pumps

Abstract

Abstract This paper describes the initial results of a research project to develop an improved corrosion inhibitor for the protection of carbon steel surfaces of ammonia-water absorption heat pumps and chillers using rare earth metal salt (REMS) compounds. Chromate compounds are currently used as corrosion inhibitors, but they are toxic, environmentally harmful, and their use is being phased out in many localities. An effective corrosion inhibitor is needed to make advanced ammonia-water absorption heat pump and chiller systems practical. Low-temperature screening tests were conducted to evaluate the potential of cerium salts, a class of REMS compounds, to act as an inhibitor for steel in ammonia-water solutions. Successful results from these tests led to high-temperature (HT) testing in an innovative test apparatus, which simulated a range of temperatures, ammonia concentrations, and phases typically found in ammonia-water absorption systems. HT testing further demonstrated the effectiveness of cerium nitrate as a corrosion inhibitor, and suggested that it may outperform the Chromate compounds currently used. An additional outcome of the project was the successful demonstration of a cerium based surface pretreatment procedure, termed cerating, as an additional corrosion protection feature. Cerated surfaces will prevent corrosion of steel surfaces and ammonia decomposition at steel surfaces. These results have lead to the concept of a dual corrosion protection strategy utilizing a cerium based solution inhibitor with a cerating surface pretreatment to prevent both corrosion and ammonia decomposition. This approach is presently being pursued in a more intensive study.