Corrosion inhibitor

Corrosion occurs between two different metals or between two different parts of the same metal, where electrochemical reactions take place in the electrolyte, causing damage to the metal. This results in extremely high maintenance costs and production downtime losses. The main factor causing corrosion is oxygen. In cooling water, large amounts of air enter during aeration and heat exchange. As the temperature rises, oxygen diffusion is enhanced, making corrosion penetration more severe. Oxygen-induced corrosion generally appears as pitting corrosion, and without effective control, pipelines are easily perforated, causing leaks.

Additionally, process contamination or air pollution may cause the reduction of sulfate ions, generating hydrogen sulfide, which lowers the pH of cooling water and results in acidic corrosion. Two other common types of corrosion cells exist, such as at the junction of copper tubes and carbon steel end plates, where different metals form potential differences, leading to severe corrosion at the end plate area. Furthermore, microorganisms and dust particles entering the water form slime deposits on metal surfaces, which create oxygen concentration cells under the deposits, causing severe localized corrosion.