Diluting Sulfuric Acid

Hello,

I have some corrosion issues when trying to dilute hot H2SO4 from 99% down to about 90%. As this dilution creates an exothermic condition I am using a plate and frame heat exchanger to remove the heat. Unfortunately the sulfuric acid is corroding my heat exchangers pretty badly. Will the Ultrmet CPT tantalum surface help in this kind of environment?

Dave

Dave:
Thank you for your question. Tantalum is highly resistant to corrosion by sulfuric acid in all concentrations up to about 98% and 150C. The Ultramet tantalum surface on your plate and frame surfaces is expected to perform well.

If you decide to use this system, I will be interested to know how well it performed.

regards
Hira "doctormetals" Ahluwalia

Hello Dave,

Because the sulfuric acid dilution process is very exothermic, your sulfuric acid becomes hotter and much more corrosive. Although the sulfuric acid is diluted the additional heat is strongly influencing your corrosion rate and therefore the reason you see corrosion on your heat exchangers.

The Ultra-Metal tantalum surface is ideal for sulfuric acid dilutions.