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Titanium Cladding Passivation in PX Oxidation Reactors

January 16, 2009

Dear Sir,
As you know, the titanium cladding is used inside of para-xylene oxidation reactor for making sufficient resistance against corrosive material which are present in the reactor such as bromide, acetic acid ⇦this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and so none. Also it is required that before initiate the main reaction for first time, to perform the titanium passive operation to sure making TiO2 layer on the cladding. It is usual in such case to do this procedure just before charging feeds and start the reaction. For information the reactor condition is almost around 200 degree C, 15 barg.
So I would like receive information in regard of "how titanium cladding could be passive in such case? What is the procedure?
Best Thanks,

Naser Naseri
- Iran

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January 20, 2009

Titanium generally self-passivates upon contact of the zero-valence Ti atoms with air (oxygen), so all you really need is a clean surface.

Occasionally titanium "passivation" is done to remove surface iron contamination introduced during machining, in which case passivation procedures for stainless steel are effective.

Ray Kremer
Stellar Solutions, Inc.

McHenry, Illinois