Page 179 - CW E-Magazine (16-4-2024)

AMAI Conference

KNOWLEDGE SHARING

Chlor-alkali industry experts discuss corrosion

challenges and mitigation measures

orrosion, which can be defi ned
as the deterioration of materi-
Cals due to chemical or electro-
chemical reactions with the environ-
ment, is a major challenge for chemical
processing plants, as it can affect the
safety, performance, and cost of opera-
tions.

Representatives from the chlor-
alkali industry – a sector for which corro-
sion is an inherent challenge – recently
gathered in Ahmedabad for sharing
experiences and learnings in addressing
this problem. The platform was a con-
ference organised by the Alkali Manu-
facturers Association of India (AMAI)
on the theme of ‘Corrosion challenges
and advancement in corrosion combat- From L to R: Mr. P. N. Ojha Mr. Aditya Shriram, Mr. Ajay Virmani
ing materials’, which witnessed partici- While maintenance and replacement ties to keep pace with growing demand.
pation of over 200 delegates from 75+ costs are signifi cant, risks to human The caustic soda capacity in the country
organisations from India and overseas. health and life, and to the environment is expected to increase from approxi-
are incalculable,” added Mr. Virmani. mately 56-ltpa (lakh tonnes per annum)
“As per various studies and esti- to 77-ltpa in the next fi ve years, while
mates, every year, corrosion costs India soda ash capacity is expected to grow to
about 4% of its GDP. The maintenance 57-ltpa from 44-ltpa in the same period.
and replacement of assets affected by
corrosion are major deterrents to the Every facet of alkali manufactur-
growth of our economy. It is also esti- ing facility is prone to corrosion – be
mated that corrosion leads to losses the civil structures, plant & machinery,
worth $100-bn annually in India,” said piping, connections & valves, instru-
Mr. Ajay Virmani, President, AMAI, mentation, motors & pumps, electrical
and Managing Director, Lords Chloro installations, storage vessels & contain-
Alkali Ltd., after inaugurating the con- ments, power plant, utilities, etc. Cor-
ference. rosion in each of these areas is unique
and generally different from the others.
“Specifi cally for alkali industry, The implications and impacts are also
corrosion poses a signifi cant challenge signifi cantly different from each other,
as both raw materials (salt) and the Mr. Ajay Virmani Mr. Virmani noted.
goods produced (caustic soda, chlorine, The Indian chlor-alkali industry
hydrochloric acid, sodium hypochlo- has witnessed healthy growth in recent Mr. Aditya Shriram, Vice President,
rite, etc.) are highly corrosive, affecting years. The compounded annual growth AMAI, and Deputy Managing Director,
plant assets and operations. Corrosion for the last fi ve years is around 7% for DCM Shriram Ltd., also stated that cor-
affects infrastructure and equipment, caustic and 3% for soda ash. The indus- rosion is a huge challenge – not only
adding to the burden of investments. try continues to invest, adding capaci- fi nancially, but also in terms of safety –

Chemical Weekly April 16, 2024 179

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