AM-17-32 New Perspectives on Refinery Corrosion, Integrity Management, Communications and Optimizing Opportunity Crudes

Description:

There is an increased focus on corrosion and integrity management in the oil & gas and refining industries today. Drivers for this include: • Safety. Industrial accidents are often related to uncontrolled corrosion. An improved corrosion and integrity management program reduces the risk of unexpected accidents, and improves operational safety for the plant, personnel and the environment. • Increased Plant Uptime. A good corrosion and integrity management program will ensure that asset conditions are known, maintenance and repair strategies planned, and unplanned production stops avoided. • Corrosion Inhibitor Verification and Tuning. The use of corrosion inhibitors is a common way of controlling corrosion with corrosion monitoring vital in determining the effect of such inhibitors, ensuring that the correct chemicals are used and at optimal concentrations. A good corrosion management program will both contribute to the optimal consumption of chemicals as well as extend equipment life with corrosion control implemented before damage takes place. • Optimizing the Use of Opportunity Crudes. Due to the availability of high quality crudes, and the cost savings possible when using less expensive, lower quality crudes, the use of “opportunity crudes” is increasing in the industry. However, low cost crudes are normally more corrosive than higher quality crudes and can have a negative effect on plant corrosion and integrity. Hence, increasing opportunity crude processing may require both material changes as well as a more proactive corrosion monitoring program. On the other hand, only a minor increase in blending in opportunity crudes can provide significant cost savings. This paper will examine how these drivers are being addressed through today’s corrosion monitoring strategies and technologies. In order to do this, however, one must initially review the current corrosion challenges refinery plant operators face.