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Mitigating Corrosion Under Insulation and Supporting the Longevity of Industrial Pipe Insulating Systems

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Denickelification

Last updated: July 19, 2024

What Does Denickelification Mean?

Denickelification refers to an occurrence of corrosion where nickel is extracted by leaching from its alloys. This process occurs in copper-nickel alloys that have undergone significant exposure to seawater or other aquatic environments.

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Corrosionpedia Explains Denickelification

The primary cause of the waterside failure of condenser tubes has historically been identified as plug-type denickelification. This corrosion type involves the creation of an active cell that dissolves the alloy and redeposits copper. Once the denickelification is started it can be self-propagating due to the limited supply of oxygen.

Denickelification has empirically been observed in higher-nickel content copper-nickel alloys that are used primarily for refinery applications. In these applications, hydrocarbon stream condenses at temperatures above 300°F (149°C). Due to the significant temperatures and moisture concentration of such processes, hot spots develop in the tubing of associated equipment as a result of fouling and thermogalvanic differences that arise. Hot spots are the most severe representation of denickelification.

The solution to hot spots is frequent cleaning to remove built-up deposits or increasing the flow rate to avoid deposits.

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