Topic of the Month—Catastrophic Corrosion Resulting From Vanadium Pentoxide in Fuel Oil Ash

Abstract

Catastrophic corrosion resulting from burning fuel oils containing very small concentrations of vanadium is described. Experiments are outlined in which the effects of contamination of fuel oil ash by vanadium and other materials is evaluated after test samples are exposed for varying periods of time at high temperatures. Relative merits of nickel-rich versus nickel-free alloys is mentioned as are experiments involving additives to fuel. Molecular structure of vanadium porphyrin is illustrated and sources of fuel oil containing greatest concentration are listed. 10 references.