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.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide