The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
  

  -----

Corrosion of steel reactor from dilute sulfuric acid

I AM USING DILUTE sulfurIC ACID OF 60% PLUS 39% WATER AND 1-2% NITRIC IN MS REACTORS AS WELL AS SS REACTORS.
GUIDE ME WEATHER THERE WILL BE ANY CORROSION TO REACTORS?

BHANUSHALI
MANAGER PLANT - INDIA
2007

---

First of two simultaneous responses --

Your mild steel reactors will disappear very quickly indeed in a pool of ferrous/ferric sulphate!

Bill Reynolds [deceased]
consultant metallurgist - Ballarat, Victoria, Australia
We sadly relate the news that Bill passed away on Jan. 29, 2010.
2007

---

Second of two simultaneous responses --

This acid solution in mild steel sounds like a recipe for disaster. Coat the mild steel with an impermeable plastic, perhaps a vinylester resin. Are these weight or volume % concentrations? What temperature range will this operate at?

There are too many grades of SS and your conditions are inadequately defined to comment.

See letter 44789 for some links on sulfuric acid-compatible materials. The Resistoflex site information on sulfuric acid may be useful, such as temperature rise for various dilutions of concentrated sulfuric acid.

Ken Vlach [deceased]
- Goleta, California
Finishing.com honored Ken for his countless carefully researched responses. He passed away May 14, 2015.
Rest in peace, Ken. Thank you for your hard work which the finishing world, and we at finishing.com, continue to benefit from.
2007

---

2007

As Ken Vlach said, you have a recipe for disaster... I wouldn't be so optimistic !

The nitric will add to you problem.

Then you have to consider the emission problems. Wowee, I'm sure glad I ain't in your shoes.

But I am not a lover of add-ons ... but would think of a dual laminate approach ... in fact I made the first ones in Canada or the USA but now I'm retired, I can say that.

Then, of course, you have to consider the affects of your brew on the welds. Ah! Luver-ly. Yum, yum, yum.

Freeman Newton [deceased]
(It is our sad duty to advise that Freeman passed away
April 21, 2012. R.I.P. old friend).