CORROSION AND CAVITATION IN TUBE FURNACES DURING THE HEATING OF WATER - CONTAMINATED OIL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59957/jctm.v61.i4.2026.10Keywords:
tube furnacе, coal tar oil, corrosion, metallographic method, cavitationAbstract
In coking plants, tube furnaces are used to heat tar and oils, playing a crucial role in steam conservation. As a relatively expensive installation, they require careful maintenance to ensure serviceability and safe operation. Heating water-contaminated oil in a tubular furnace leads to severe metal corrosion, characterized by hemispherical cavities. The study of metal structure was carried out by light microscopy (metallographic method) on specially made micro disks. While intergranular corrosion is absent, signs of cavitation-induced damage are evident. Water contamination significantly increases the vapor phase fraction, particularly at reduced flow pressure and elevated temperatures, promoting cavitation and erosion within the tube bundle. Hydraulic calculations indicate that under turbulent flow conditions, with a pressure of 1 bar, 20 % water content, and a temperature of 160°C, cavitation becomes inevitable. This phenomenon accelerates corrosion, especially in the presence of aggressive compounds such as ammonium chloride. Electrochemical analysis confirms a high corrosion rate in oil contaminated with water.
Gravimetric measurements reveal the aggressive nature of oil vapours toward carbon steel due to the release of corrosive coke oven gas components (H2S, NH3, HCN). The findings highlight the critical role of cavitation in corrosion processes and emphasize the need for controlling water contamination in oil heating systems to mitigate equipment degradation.
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