Hot corrosion of the steel SA213-T22 and SA213-TP347H in 80%V2O5-20%Na2SO4-20%Na2SO4 mixture

Abstract

Many hot corrosion problems in industrial and utility boilers are caused by molten salts. The corrosion processes which occur in salts are of an electrochemical nature, and so they can be studied using electrochemical test methods. In this research, electrochemical techniques in molten salt systems have been used for the measurements of molten corrosion processes. Electrochemical test methods are described here for a salt mixture of 80%V₂O₅-20%Na₂SO₄ at 540-680°C. To establish better the electrochemical corrosion rate mearurements for molten salt systems, information from electrochemical potentiodynamic polarization curves, such as polarization resistance and Tafel slopes were used in this study to generate corrosion rate data. The salt was contained in a quartz crucible inside a stainless steel retort. The atmosphere used was air. A thermocouple sheathed with quartz glass was introduced into the molten salt for temperature monitoring and control. Two materials were tested in the molten mixture: SA213-T22 and SA213-TP347H steels. The corrosion rates values obtained using electrochemical methods were around 0.58-7.14 mm/yr (22.9-281 mpy). The corrosion rate increase with time.