Corrosion failure analysis in a biodiesel plant using electrical resistance probes

• Steel corrosion in a biodiesel plant was monitored using electrical resistance probes.
• Survey of equipment failure by corrosion problems for a year and a half was made.
• 46.1% of failures occurred in the biodiesel circuit and 53.9% in the glycerin circuit.
• Dosage of hydrochloric acid is influenced by several process parameters.
• Thickness loss curve is virtually a reverse phase response curve of the pH.

The search for alternative forms of energy that generate a lower emission of carbon dioxide and pollutants leads to an increase in biodiesel fuel production in Brazil. The corrosion of steel equipment is a major problem in biodiesel fuel plants. The methodology applied in the research includes a survey of operating conditions and failure history as well as collection and analysis of corrosion data obtained in installing AISI 316L electrical resistance probes at strategic points in the process.

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