×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Carbon Steek Vs. Stainless Steel for Heat Exchanger Shell

Carbon Steek Vs. Stainless Steel for Heat Exchanger Shell

Carbon Steek Vs. Stainless Steel for Heat Exchanger Shell

(OP)
I work in a pulp mill. I am upgrading an existing heat exchanger- vertical configuration) that handles Black Liquor in the tubes(304L) and water on shell side(Carbon Steel).

The cooler is in operation for 20 years and inspection reveal Micro Biological corrosion (MIC) at the bottom of the tubes. This has thinned both the shell and tube.

We have decided to go for 2205 tubes which have better resistance to MIC.

My question is: Would it be worthwhile to change the shell to SS, both in terms of life and cost?

 

RE: Carbon Steek Vs. Stainless Steel for Heat Exchanger Shell

MIC will attack stainless steels as well, I would think that biocides is what you need to be looking into, there are some very good treatment options.

RE: Carbon Steek Vs. Stainless Steel for Heat Exchanger Shell

You can make the steel shell of your new liquor HX a lot thicker for the price of stainless.

So, unless you think your water treatment is uncontrollable or likely to get worse, you know your rate of thinning and can compensate accordingly.  SS is not a silver bullet.  It has its own issues, especially with crappy water.

rmw

RE: Carbon Steek Vs. Stainless Steel for Heat Exchanger Shell

And why did you put a HX question in a pipeline forum?  Just curious.

rmw

RE: Carbon Steek Vs. Stainless Steel for Heat Exchanger Shell

(OP)
Thanks Guys. Input was useful. Regarding posting in pipeline forum, this is my maiden post and I guess I have not explored the forum for other options.

RE: Carbon Steek Vs. Stainless Steel for Heat Exchanger Shell

Yes, go with carbon steel shell and add appropriate corrosion allowance (1/8"?) and work on cooling water chemistry control.

RE: Carbon Steek Vs. Stainless Steel for Heat Exchanger Shell

(OP)
What about 2205?

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources