Corrosion resistant flow technology for the petrochemical industry

Petrochemistry is a branch of industrial chemistry, specialising in the refining of petroleum and natural gas and their respective by-products. Petrochemicals, as the name suggests, are extracted mainly from petroleum but also from other fossil fuels such as coal or gas.

Refineries handle highly corrosive media, which places high demands on durability, operational safety and reliability. At the same time, the ongoing transition to renewable fuels places even higher demands on corrosion resistance and equipment quality. Lyma has always been part of the transition that the industry is undergoing with products adapted to the needs of the future to protect both people and the environment.

We have extensive experience of applications in the petrochemical industry, including:

• Het oil
• Chemical processes
• Cooling and fire water

Stainless steel is the predominant material in a refinery, but there are many installations where, for example, epoxy or Teflon lined products have at least as good corrosion resistance.

Hot oils in the Petrochemical industry

In a refinery, oil pumping occurs where the liquid is up to 500 degrees. To cope with this handling, it is recommended to use water-cooled canned pumps.

Service and cooling water

Cooling water is needed in the process and glass fibre reinforced epoxy pipes are well suited. We use conductive pipes, to eliminate electrical static voltages. The pipes must be fire rated according to IMO3, to be used on oil platforms and refineries.

Salt water and brackish water, often drawn from the sea, are known to be corrosive and therefore it is advisable to use plastic valves to avoid corrosion problems.

Desalination process

In those processes where sulphuric acid is formed in a desulphurisation process, lined valves, pipes and pumps are recommended.