Chemical Engineering March 2019 - 45

8.49
8.48
8.47
8.46
8.45
8.44
8.43
8.42
8.41
8.4
8.39
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
21-11-2017
1-12-2017
11-12-2017
21-12-2017
Time
31-12-2017
10-1-2018
20-1-2018
Wireless
sensor
Process
parameter
CALL US
+1 248 450-2000
FIGURE 6. Process monitoring revealed the connection between a specific process condition and highly
aggressive metal loss, allowing for rapid corrective action
may run as many as 50 different
crude sources and grades throughout
a year. But using data from
wall-thickness monitors to identify
potential cause-and-effect relationships
between other process
variables and periods of aggressive
metal loss can help to maximize
production capabilities and
reduce losses. In some situations,
the loss results from an especially
corrosive crude, but there are also
situations where process changes
or upsets have unleashed an especially
destructive period (Figure 6).
These can be spotted by analyzing
the continuous thickness data, and
these findings are examined by determining
what else was happening
during that time. Did a process variable
change? Was the wrong corrosion
inhibitor used, or were no inhibitors
used when they should have
been? Are there any other factors
to examine?
The analysis shown in Figure 6
was used for review with a chemical
company providing corrosion inhibitors
to a petroleum refinery, and in
this case, it was found that the formulation
in use the previous week
did not work as well with the particular
crude running that day at the facility.
Using corrosion measurement
data, it was possible to fine-tune
the selection process to improve
formulations, matching additives
with conditions.
Real-world lessons learned
Continuous metal-thickness corrosion
monitoring, whether deployed
sparsely to understand the overall
corrosion picture, or in higher densities
to understand the exact corrosion
nuances of a specific area of
the plant, supports the corrosionmitigation
strategies mentioned
earlier. Data from the wireless sensors
analyzed over time can determine
the parameters of safe integrity
operating windows and indicate
the effectiveness of corrosion inhibitors.
All of these elements work
together to measure and mitigate
this complex problem, regardless
of the crude feedstock characteristics.
Ultimately, knowing the current
integrity of the plant, and how it is
coping with the ever-changing corrosion
burden, means that the facility
can be driven to its maximum
operating capability.
■
Edited by Mary Page Bailey
Author
Jake Davies is the marketing
director for Rosemount corrosion
monitoring systems at Emerson
Automation Solutions, formerly
known as Permasense Ltd. (Alexandra
House,
Welcome to the
Visioneering Group
Clean Air Technologies for the
Chemical Industry:
Dürr offers the latest clean air
technologies for the removal of
volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), hazardous air pollutants
(HAPs), odors, particulates, and
acid gases. Benefit from our
many years of experience in the
chemical industry to design your
tailor-made solution.
Newton Rd.
RH10 9TT, Crawley, U.K.; +44
7884 317014; jake.davies@
emerson.com). He has been involved
in the development, deployment
and support of non-intrusive wireless corrosion
and erosion monitoring systems since 2008.
Davies holds a doctorate from Imperial College London,
a Masters of Engineering from Oxford University
and an M.B.A. from The Open University.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING WWW.CHEMENGONLINE.COM
MARCH 2019
www.durr.com
www.durr-megtec.com
For details visit adlinks.chemengonline.com/73852-14
45
UT measurement, mm

http://www.durr.com http://www.durr-megtec.com http://adlinks.chemengonline.com/73852-14 http://WWW.CHEMENGONLINE.COM

Chemical Engineering March 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Chemical Engineering March 2019