| Abstract Scope |
The high temperature corrosion mechanism of “metal dusting" is obfuscated by a complex combination of incubation, initiation and rapid attack propagation. It is observed in carbon-rich gases at 400-800°C, for example in petrochemical plants or syngas production. Current estimations of material lifetimes are based primarily on experience, and alloy selection for new processes often requires extensive laboratory tests. The potential of current thermodynamic and kinetic models of the gas phase reactions to model the metal dusting attack will be discussed. A new approach is presented where the environmental aggressivity is quantified according to a metastable carbon activity. Additionally, the observed metal dusting attack of various alloys was analyzed by a mechanistic and a statistical approach to increase understanding and improve alloy development timeframes. Other parameters, such as manufacturing route, surface condition, gas composition, and pressure, are ranked for their relative level of impact. |