RISK ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION OF MATERIALS COMMONLY USED IN DESALINATION PLANTS

摘要

Several copper-nickel based alloys commonly used as condenser and heat exchanger materials in desalination plants were evaluated for resistance to corrosion and deterioration. This evaluation was conducted in a simulated marine environment of Kuwait polluted by oil spills and oil fires. Copper alloys such as 90%Cu-10%Ni and 70%Cu-30%Ni were tested in natural seawater polluted with 200-3120 ppm sulfides at a temperatures of 25-70°C in order to simulate the post-Gulf War impact of oil spills and oil fires in Kuwaiti marine environments. The study implemented electrochemical tools as well as risk assessment models in order to evaluate the materials' performance and efficiency in such an environment.