Corrosion of reactor effluent air coolers (REACS) and associated piping has been a serious problem in hydrocracking end hydrofming plants tlom the time these processes were fust introduced to the industry. For the most part, the design and operating guidelines to control corrosion were formulated in the 1970s. This paper reports on a recent corrosion survey of 46 UOP licensed hydroprocessing units. The survey response represented more than 700 years of operating experience end covered a wide range of the REAC system designs, materials, operating environments, and corrosion experience. Results of the survey indicate that present corrosion control parameters in general use continue to be appropriate. However, the survey highlights other factors of geat importance and provides valuable information on how to achieve satisfactory REAC performance.
Keywords: Hydroprocessing, hydrocracking, hydrotreating, reactor effluent air cooler, ammonium bisulfide, Kp, balanced and unbalanced headers, inlet and outlet piping, ferrules.