Corrosion protection of flue stacks
Keywords KCH Keramchemie, Corrosion prevention, Flues
The installation of a Ceilcote corrosion protection system from KCH Keramchemie (UK) Ltd at a major pharmaceutical plant in Speke, North West UK is reported to be the latest in a succession of manufacturing plants that have used these systems to provide effective protection against acidic emissions in flue stacks.
Exhaust flue stacks are widely used throughout industry from power generating plants to chemical, pharmaceutical and food manufacturing plants. In situations where aggressive chemicals are exhausted, operators try to maintain gas flue temperatures above acid dew points in an effort to prevent acidic condensation forming within the ductwork or flues.
During plant start-ups and shutdowns, however, these temperatures cannot be maintained and an acidic condensate will be formed which causes corrosion to the material of construction; generally concrete or carbon steel. This cannot be avoided, so, in order to protect the internal surfaces of the ductwork and flues, a corrosion protection system needs to be installed.
The selection of which system to use is made following a detailed analysis of operating conditions for the plant. Typically, they are installed at thickness of 1 to 3mm and are based on a wide range of resins utilising inert flake fillers or glass mat reinforcement to provide permeation resistance.
According to Keramchemie, its Ceilcote lining systems have been extensively used for the internal lining of such structures to prevent any deterioration occurring. They are designed to provide permanent protection against aggressive chemicals such as sulphuric acid, caustics and solvents at temperatures up to 230°C.
In addition to providing corrosion protection to maintain structural integrity, Ceilcote lining systems are also being used for the internal lining of stacks where acidic conditions cause the formation of ferrous sulphate,which, when exhausted, causes contamination and damage to local property. The use of Celicote linings reportedly prevents this occurrence, resulting in improved industrial relations and ongoing clean-up costs.
Other manufacturing plants which have recently installed Ceilcote corrosion systems for the protection of flue stacks include: Shell Green - Widnes in the UK, Badenwerk, Bewag Power, Ammendorf Power, KW Klingenberg, MVA Darmstadt and MÏllverbrennung in Germany and Studstrup Vaerket in Denmark.
Details available from: KCH Keramchemie (UK) Ltd. Tel: + 44 (0) 1 270 761720;Fax: + 44 (0) 1 270 761697.
