Corrosion Rate Assessment over LPG Transporting Pipelines in Korukupet & Manali Industrial Area

Abstract

In a Crude oil refinery, Atmospheric Distillation Unit (ADU) is one the primary processing unit operation in which many Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), flammable liquids and gases would be separated. Most of these products contain alkane, alkene and alkyne hydrocarbon chemicals which is highly flammable in nature. The top distillate Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) majorly composed of Propane and Butane popularly known as C3-C4 cuts is highly flammable in nature. LPG is one the primary domestic fuel as well as Industrial fuel used in furnaces and for other combustion activities. This LPG would be stored in Bullets which may be hemispherical or spherical. LPG is transported through Seamless Carbon Steel pipelines. As treated LPG is mostly transported either in refinery Unit or LPG Terminals, the likelihood for internal corrosion is very less. But the chances of localized atmospheric external corrosion would be more. The atmospheric pollutants & humidified air electrochemically reacts and forms corrosion over the pipelines. In this paper, LPG terminals which are existing in two most polluted regions in Chennai, Tamilnadu, India have selected. The ambient air quality has analyzed and corrosion simulation has studied.