Metallurgical Support for Biorefinery Navigating Critical Material Remediation

Corrosion Resistant Alloys > Case Study > Chemical Processing > Metallurgical Support for Biorefinery Navigating Critical Material Remediation

Metallurgical Support for Biorefinery Navigating Critical Material Remediation

A biorefinery company was facing challenges with the air tubes utilized in a high-temperature application. The customer’s engineering team reached out to CRA for assistance in identifying a suitable replacement material that could withstand the demanding conditions of their biorefinery operations. The existing tubes, made from austenitic stainless steel, were experiencing significant deformation due to mechanical stresses, cycling temperatures, and pressure spikes. While corrosion was not yet present, their process resulted in pyrolysis gas, known to be corrosive to stainless steels in specific conditions, with the severity heavily influenced by longer exposure times and higher temperatures.

Upon receiving the inquiry, CRA’s technical team initiated a detailed discussion with the engineer. Through targeted questions aimed at thoroughly understanding the application and specific challenges, CRA gathered critical information about the unique operating conditions and limitations of the current materials. After an in-depth analysis, CRA’s technical team leveraged their extensive expertise and metallurgical experience to ultimately recommend Alloy 800H/HT as a more suitable alternative. Commonly utilized in pyrolysis processes, alloys 800H/HT are known for their high-temperature stability and mechanical strength with the concentration of nickel performing well in cyclic exposure to high-temperature conditions.

At CRA, our team believes collaboration is crucial to solving the complex engineering challenges of critical applications across all industries. With extensive metallurgical experience in both oil and gas and industrial energy applications, our experts will work closely with your team throughout the scope of your project. Whether in the initial design phase or facing an unexpected remediation, CRA is your technical resource when quality, reliability, and expertise matter. Need help deciding which material is right for your project? Contact our team to get started.

ProductAlloy 800H/HT Nickel Pipe
ApplicationChemical Processing / Industrial
Client LocationUS