seawater applications (cooling with seawater, shipboard piping,
offshore platform piping and heat exchangers), in the chlorine
manufacturing industry, in the pulp and paper industry, in the
refinery industry and in the production of the precursor
chemicals that go into everyday products, such as plastic soft
drink bottles.
Many in the chemical process industry are becoming more
aware that titanium and zirconium metals are quite cost
effective, readily available and easily welded with the proper
fabrication techniques. Cost effectiveness needs to take in not
only the initial cost of the equipment but also the cost of
maintenance over the life of the unit and the cost of
production lost due to corrosion failures and downtime due to
excessive maintenance. Since both titanium and zirconium
equipment used in nitric acid production have shown extended
life for the components (over 25 years life with minimal
maintenance), their cost effectiveness can be shown to be
exceptional.
Titanium and zirconium can be dependably welded by
welders trained in the correct methods used with these metals.
Not every fabricator can manufacture a high-quality ASME Code
vessel or heat exchanger out of reactive metals; but there are
fabricators in the US and around the world who are
knowledgeable and experienced with this type of work. The key
to getting reliable, corrosion-resistant reactive metal equipment
is to only contract with reputable fabricators who have
experience working with and welding reactive metals.
Figures 1 and 2 show a cooler-condenser that was fabricated
out of grade 2 titanium (the standard grade used in most
chemical industry applications) and another cooler-condenser
that was fabricated out of zirconium because the anticipated
concentrations and temperatures for this plant’s process were
much higher. Both of these were designed and built to customer
specifications and ASME Code, and are still in service today.
UAN production
This is the final step in the production of nitrogen-based
fertilizers – where the urea and the nitric acid is combined with
ammonium nitrate to produce urea ammonium nitrate (UAN).
Again, as in the production of the urea, there are no excessively
corrosive conditions in this stage. Most of the equipment used
here is, again, fabricated out of carbon steel or austenitic
stainless steel (304L or 316L).
Conclusion
Reactive metals (titanium and zirconium) are successfully used in
the production of nitrogen-based fertilizers. This is only in the
area of the plant where the nitric acid is produced, where
excellent corrosion resistance to oxidising, high-temperature
conditions are common. Titanium and zirconium have been
successfully used for years throughout the entire chemical
process industry to eliminate or minimise corrosion within the
chemical process. These reactive metals (or corrosion resistant
alloys [CRAs] as some would call them) can be successfully used
to manufacture the highest quality chemical process equipment
by experienced fabricators. The use of titanium and zirconium in
fertilizer production plants can be considered a success in that it
works to reduce the cost of production and minimises
maintenance costs and downtime due to unanticipated
corrosion problems.
Middle East Sulphur 2017
12-15 February 2017 •
Jumeirah Hotel At Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi, UAE
To book your delegate place go to
and register TODAY.
CRU is delighted to announce
a new conference devoted to
exploring the entire sulphur
value chain and the growing role
of the Middle East as the world’s
largest producer of Sulphur.
The conference will showcase the entire sulphur
value chain – from the operational aspects of the
safe, efficient and environmentally responsible
production of sulphur through to the marketing
and distribution of sulphur to key consumers.
Running alongside will be
an exhibition of world-class
technology and equipment
providers and high-level
networking opportunities
between the key players in
the global sulphur market
.
For enquiries contact
Michelle Fisk
+44 (0)20 7903 2159
•
A thorough exploration of economics underpinning the oil
and gas markets and the subsequent impact on the global
sulphur market
•
The role of the Middle East as the world’s largest sulphur
producing region
•
Demand updates from key consumers
•
Maintaining the quality of sulphur and identifying alternative
uses for sulphur and new areas for sulphur demand
Promoting best practice on the technical and operational aspects
of sulphur production with a particular focus on establishing
operational best practice via the sharing of operational experience
through operator-led papers incorporating:
•
The latest technologies and case studies for sulphur production
•
SRU performance and reliability
•
Energy efficiency
•
Emissions compliance
•
Sulphur forming & handling
Supported by:
Event Partners
The commercial programme will be devoted to:
The technical sessions will focus on:
Global update
on the sulphur
market
Supporting Publication
Official Publication
Exploring the sulphur value chain
CRU
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