Several advancements are being made to reduce carbon emissions, including the production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel. However, there are significant challenges in the production and storage of these biofuels, particularly concerning corrosion risks.
In a Decarbonisation Technology article, Managing corrosion risk in SAF and renewable diesel processes, Emerson’s William Fazackerley describes how non-intrusive real-time corrosion monitoring provides early warning of corrosion issues to enable early mitigation actions.
William opens the article by highlighting this challenge.
The production of SAF and renewable diesel involves complex processes and the use of diverse feedstocks, ranging from used cooking oils to agricultural residues. These new feedstocks and processes introduce novel corrosion risks that threaten the integrity of production facilities.
He contrasts SAF with traditional jet fuel.
Unlike traditional jet fuel, SAF is produced from sustainable feedstocks such as used cooking oil, agricultural residues, and even MSW [municipal solid waste].
Renewable diesel, the successor to biodiesel, is targeted for road-based transportation to replace traditional diesel.
Renewable diesel offers several advantages over biodiesel. It burns more cleanly and efficiently, produces lower emissions, and can be used in high concentrations without blending with traditional diesel…
Feedstock to make these biofuels has evolved from earlier biofuel initiatives.
Hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO) have emerged as a popular option for producing drop-in fuels. These fuels closely resemble fossil-based fuels and offer better engine compatibility than traditional biodiesel.
A basic overview of a biofuel production process, with the main corrosion mechanisms and areas of concern highlighted
William highlights the corrosion challenges in processing these feedstocks.
The high acidity of some renewable feedstocks, combined with high temperatures and pressures in the refining process, can accelerate corrosion rates in equipment…
Causes of corrosion include:
- Acidic corrosion
- Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC)
- High-temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA) (hydrogen embrittlement)
- High-temperature H2/H2S corrosion
- Carbonic acid (wet CO2) corrosion
- Ammonium bisulphide corrosion
- Hydrochloric acid corrosion
Given the variability of feedstock quality, traditional corrosion monitoring methods from manual to risk-based inspections are not as effective as in traditional processes with more consistent feedstock.
William describes the Rosemount Wireless Corrosion and Erosion transmitters that are:
…designed to measure wall thickness in real-time, allowing operators to detect corrosion quickly and take preventive action. They can be installed without the need to penetrate the pipe or vessel wall, minimising installation costs and allowing monitoring in previously inaccessible locations.
Here is how they operate.
The transmitters typically transmit wall thickness measurements twice daily using wireless data retrieval, giving operators a high level of insight into the health of their assets directly from the desk… This frequent data collection allows for the early detection of corrosion trends, enabling proactive maintenance strategies and potentially preventing costly shutdowns or equipment failures.
By locating transmitters in corrosion-prone areas, the operations staff can track the pipe and vessel degradation over time and plan required maintenance activities. As an easy-to-add source of data from the intelligent field, these devices play a key role in Emerson’s Boundless Automation vision to help manufacturers and producers drive improved performance.
For more details on this innovative solution for tackling these challenges, read the full article or visit the Rosemount Wireless Permasense Corrosion and Erosion Monitoring System page for additional specifications and capabilities.
