Abstract
Frequently stainless steel AISI 316L aseptic tanks have their passivity and corrosion resistance properties degraded by biofilm formation and localized corrosion processes. Thereby, maintenance projects are performed to repair the surface in food-grade product contact to obtain an aseptic property as defined by ASME BPE. However, the on-site non-destructive testing are limited to the liquid penetrant examination and the average roughness measurement. The on-site open circuit potential and on-site cyclic polarization measurements were conducted using a portable electrochemical minicell. The level of passivation was quantified on the tank surface, and it was performed before and after the repairing maintenance protocol be made. The results of the on-site electrochemical measurements showed a clear difference between as-degraded and repaired surfaces, indicating a sensible response to aseptic surface inspection. The on-site open circuit potential together with the on-site cyclic polarization were considered an advanced tool to support the maintenance projects of the AISI 316L aseptic surfaces.
Highlights
The food-grade storage tanks are widely used by food and beverage manufacturing industries in order to stock their final product and, based on this feature, the storage tank require a high aseptic level in the industrial process[1]
This study aims at showing the results of the on-site open circuit potential (OCP) and cyclic potentiodynamic polarization (CPP) measurements obtained during a maintenance project of the orange juice aseptic tank to quantify the passivation level of both surface conditions: degraded and repaired surface
The passivation level of the AISI 316L stainless steel surface of the aseptic tank was evaluated and the passivity and corrosion resistance parameters were quantified through on-site cyclic polarization measurements
Summary
The food-grade storage tanks are widely used by food and beverage manufacturing industries in order to stock their final product and, based on this feature, the storage tank require a high aseptic level in the industrial process[1]. The tank inner surface works in contact with food-grade product and requires a high level of conformity regarding the welding and the mechanical polish processes. The final step of manufacturing is related to the chemical passivation treatment that is executed in order to increase the passivation level of the surface. Traditional on-site inspection techniques do not evaluate the physicochemical interaction of an equipment with the industrial chemical process which it will be exposed, and it is a significant gap to the inspection techniques. One way to solve this gap is related to the application of electrochemical techniques directly at an industrial site. Electrochemical tests provide a precisely way to evaluate the solution-metal interaction, in order to acquire data on the corrosion resistance and the passivation property of stainless steel
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