Flange corrosion, pump flange, pump corrosionIf you use pumps in your industrial operations, chances are you deal with wear and tear all the time and are looking for ways to make them last longer. The biggest way to extend the life of a pump is to prevent corrosion. In addition to causing wear, corrosion can compromise the fluids being pumped; an extremely avoidable circumstance!
If you’re buying a new pump, while making a decision on the best option for your industry, select based on ability to resist corrosion and total cost of ownership (remembering to calculate cost to include initial cost, maintenance and replacement costs, downtime and life expectancy).
Here are some ideas to prevent and address corrosion in pumps.
1. Select the right pump
Aggressive fluids like acids, wastewater effluents and others require careful selection of material. Getting the right material can prevent the premature replacement of pumps and cut on valuable time lost. Plastic and metal are the two most common materials used for pumping these liquids. Carefully consider the properties of your liquid and make a selection from the various types on offer. In looking for options for material, look for a consensus from professionals on a particular material for your needs. Chances are if several people are recommending it for you, it’s the right choice.
2.Consider coating technology
A useful method of dealing with corrosion is coating. Coating ‘is the thin layer of a covering substance… applied on a surface… to improve its critical properties and to create a protective barrier against deterioration’ Even the best choice of material is susceptible to corrosion so a coating will help to increase life. A wide range of coatings is available for pumps. Speak to your engineer about the kind of use your pump will have and get recommendations.
3.Run your pumps slower
The corrosion created by abrasive liquids can often be significantly reduced when a pump runs slower. Pump manufacturers often recommend speeds that are less than half the capacity to help pump last much longer, depending on the nature of the liquid within. Also, test periodically to see what the condition of the pump is. Be sure to do any testing for corrosion in the same conditions under which the pump actually runs.
4.Protect the external parts of you pump
It’s not just the inside that needs protection; the surfaces exposed to the outside also need to be protected from corrosion. These parts are not directly exposed to the fluids being pumped but are often subject to damage especially in cases where the pump is submerged – for example when you’re pumping from the sea and need saltwater protection. Coatings are available for external surfaces as well, most often in the form of paint, which can repel water and other contaminants. HOWEVER, painting is just short term remedy. Nitto Denko’s anti-corrosion XG Tape series will provide you with a cost-effective and comprehensive solution.Start early when you’re thinking about the issue of pumps and corrosion since defence is the best form of offence in protecting from harsh liquids. A clear discussion of your needs with a competent and established anti-corrosion tape manufacturer is usually a good place to start.By VTS team
Corrosion in the electric power industry results in loss of millions of US$ annually. The revelations come at a time when plants are working to enhance efficiency and shorten the offline maintenance timeline. Corrosion prevention techniques can go a long way to improve the life of various machinery components and enhance plant safety.
The most common types of corrosion issues in thermal plants include erosion, oxide corrosion and galvanic corrosion.Erosion arises when an aggressive chemical environment comes into contact with high fluid surface velocities thereby increasing surface wear outside the protective coating or scale area.With oxide corrosion, the electrochemical process arises when metal is exposed to water causing the composition to change.The galvanic corrosion process, on the other hand, occurs when two dissimilar metals come into contact. When that happens, the effect is an electrical reaction that accelerates corrosion. Thermal power plants, whether coal, solar thermal electric, nuclear or geothermal plants operate by generating steam that drives turbines that turnaround electrical generators to produce power. There are several components in the thermal power plants that operate at different temperatures and pressures.These components include cooling tower, boilers, superheater, turbine and steel drums. When any of these components are exposed to corrosion, the system operation may be compromised causing serious safety hazard issues. This is especially true if a worker comes into contact with radioactive materials, gas and hot steam because of leaks or damage. Corrosion can also force the thermal power plant operators to grapple with non-operation delays even after scheduled maintenance is performed or be requested to pay nondelivery fees. Corrosion in thermal power plants can be prevented if the operators take into mind the following preemptive measures.
Ensure the generators operate under low humidity levels using a closed loop system
Seal the turbine opening to keep it as tight as possible
Use water conditioning agents to counter the presence of organic agents or chemicals that cause corrosion. The other strategy is replacing the steel components with a line of effective composites.
Perform regular inspections and test components exposed to the risk of corrosion. The key focus areas include welded areas, ducts, pipes, and turbines.
Install a windshield or protective liner on the cooling stacks to prevent thermal shock and chemical attacks.
Install insulation materials with preventive coating or jacket on all vulnerable pipes. Also, consider improving the pipe design to counter corrosion.
Recently Nitto Denko commercialized a comprehensive solution to corrosion. Click herefor detail.
Add/showroom: BT7-16, KĐT Văn Khê, Hà Đông, Hà Nội Inquiry: 038.224.1661 Product consultation: 0789.000.134 Email: vts@vinats.com
CÔNG TY TNHH VINA TRADE SYNERGY
GPKD số 0107475020 do Sở KH và ĐT TP Hà Nội cấp ngày 16/02/2016
Địa Chỉ: Thôn Yên Khê, X. Yên Thường, H. Gia Lâm, Tp. Hà Nội
