Influences of cathodic protection and coating properties on the corrosion control of metallic structure in extremely acidic fluids

A lot of parts in FGD (Flue Gas Desulfurization) systems of fossil-fuel power plants show the environments in which are highly changeable and extremely acidic corrosive medium according to time and locations, e.g. in duct works, coolers and re-heaters etc. These conditions are formed when system materials are immersed in fluid that flows on them or when exhausted gas is condensed into thin layered acidic medium to contact materials of the system walls and roofs. These environments make troublesome corrosion and air pollution problems that are occurred from the leakage of the condensed solution. To cathodically protect the metallic structures in extremely acidic fluid, the properties of the protective coatings on the metal surface were very important, and epoxy Novolac coating was applied in this work. On the base of acid immersion tests, hot sulfuric acid decreased the hardness of the coatings and reduced greatly the content of Na2O, Al2O3, and SiO2 among the main components of the coating. A special kind of CP(Cathodic Protection) system has been developed and tested in a real scale of the FGD facility. Applied coating for this CP system was peeled off and cracked in some parts of the facility. However, the exposed metal surface to extremely acidic fluid by the failure of the coatings was successfully protected by the new CP system