We have experienced cyclic tube corrosion on shell side of vacuum overhead unit steam ejectors condensers. Corrosion is due to under deposit fouling caused by condensation of H2S, HCL, Ammonia and vacuum overhead vapours. Fluid tube side of condensers is cooling water. Condensers tube material is A179. Which your experience about this type of corrosion? In our older vacuum unit, tube material of steam ejectors condensers is admiralty and here we haven’t had corrosion. We need to up grade condensers tube material of the youngest vacuum unit. Do you think it is a good option to change those condensers tube material for admiralty? Thank you Luis Marques

Dear Sir: On your answer I suppose instead of ammonia you want to say copper. What do you think about the use of duplex steels such as SAF 2205 or 2207 in our vacuum ejector steam condensers system? Thanks Luis Marques

>Luis: > >Sorry for the mis statement. A duplex SS exchanger tube >material will be resistant to ammonia and should be >resistant to most chloride environments associated with >crude unit overhead systems, with the possible exception of >ammonium chloride. > >Hope this helps! > > > >David Hendrix >The Hendrix Group Inc. In the case of ammonia chlorides, what would you suggest? We have 316 SS on the shell side in our condenser and have been experiencing cracking. Thank you, Stephanie