Distillation Tower Corrosion: Synergistic Effects of Chlorine and Phenolic Compounds in Coal Liquids

摘要

Severe corrosion problems were encountered in the fractionator area of major solvent refined coal (SRC) pilot plants. Chemical characterization and corrosion experiments using liquids from the T-105 fractionating tower of the Wilsonville, Alabama SRC plant are described. Tower feed liquids were obtained when the plant was processing low and high chlorine content coals without additives. Liquids from individual trays were obtained when the plant feed included additions of sodium carbonate. Given the plant feed and operational conditions presented, it was demonstrated that the synergistic effect of the ammonium chloride and phenol combination, due in part to ammonium chloride solubility, was likely responsible for the Wilsonville tower corrosion.