Careers Corrosion Protection for CDUs and VDUs
Crude oil refining is a critical process, but the harsh conditions inside crude distillation units (CDUs) and vacuum distillation units (VDUs) can cause equipment material wastage. Corrosive crude oil, high temperatures, and variable pH levels create an extremely challenging environment that leads to reduced asset integrity and downtime.
We offer a proven solution to this problem – our High Velocity Thermal Spray (HVTS) cladding technology. HVTS provides an impermeable metallurgical barrier that protects the underlying substrate from the corrosive conditions found in CDUs and VDUs.
The CDU/VDU Corrosion Challenge
Crude oil is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons with varying boiling points. In the first stage of refining, crude oil is heated in a CDU to boil off the lighter products. The remaining heavier oils, called bottoms, are then fed into a VDU for further distillation.
These units present unique corrosion challenges due to:
- Graduated temperature and corrosivity profiles throughout the column
- Varied chemical characteristics of the crude oil feed
- Exposure to both caustic and acidic conditions at high temperatures
HVTS: The Proven Solution
HVTS cladding technology has a long history of protecting equipment in sour conditions with low or variable pH. These modified superalloy systems are resistant to both caustic and acidic corrosion at high temperatures.
HVTS offers several key benefits for CDU and VDU applications:
- Provides an impermeable metallurgical barrier to protect the underlying substrate
- Can be efficiently applied without impact to the existing shell or need for post weld heat treatment (PWHT) or heat affected zones (HAZ).
- Proven performance through extensive testing in corrosion autoclaves using real crude oil samples
- Customized for the unique conditions found within different zones of the CDU/VDU column
Professional Consultation
Our subject matter experts can help you determine the optimal HVTS solution for your specific equipment and environment. We provide comprehensive support from initial assessment through implementation.