SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1982
STP33190S

Aluminum Alloy Performance in Industrial Air-Cooled Applications

Source

Air-cooled equipment has an impressive record of performance in industrial cooling applications, particularly in rural-dry environments. At temperatures below the dew point, however, combinations of moisture and contaminants (particularly chlorides and some sulfur compounds) promote severe corrosion on aluminum. Washing the cooling surfaces with some commercial detergents provides a corrosive environment, particularly on areas where drainage collects. Coal dust deposits have caused corrosion of aluminum fins. Marine-humid-industrial locations have caused severe corrosion problems on aluminum air-cooled equipment, particularly when the coolers are at ambient temperatures for extended periods. The results of the domestic survey and available specimens have directed this study principally to aluminum. However, the foreign survey, which is summarized here, provided some insights into the behavior of galvanized steel cooling towers.

Author Information

Wheeler, KR
Battelle Memorial Institute, Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, Wash
Johnson, AB
Battelle Memorial Institute, Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, Wash
May, RP
Battelle Memorial Institute, Pacific Northwest Laboratories, Richland, Wash
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Details
Developed by Committee: G01
Pages: 116–134
DOI: 10.1520/STP33190S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4832-1
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0702-1