Enhancing corrosion resistance with Alleima's Sanicro ® 35

Setting Sanicro® 35 apart is its proven track record in resisting some of the most aggressive forms of corrosion

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“Efficiency and longevity of equipment are crucial to ensuring operational success in the oil refinery and petrochemical industries,” said Mr Ganesh Prasad, Technical Manager Specialist, Alleima, a global company with over 160 years of expertise in materials technology. “Corrosion is inevitable. However, as the saying goes, ‘prevention is better than cure,’ and this must be considered at the design and material selection stage itself. At present, we often end up conducting a failure investigation only after the component has failed. He emphasized that the selection of materials for equipment depends on a range of service conditions, including operating temperature, pressure, and corrosive environments influenced by sulfur, chlorides, and acids.

India's energy landscape is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by rapid industrialization, urbanization, and a strong commitment to sustainable development. With energy consumption rising steadily, recording a 7.8% increase in FY 2023 to FY 2024, the nation is expanding its energy infrastructure across both traditional and renewable sources. “The Government of India has given a significant infrastructure boost in the latest Union Budget. Capacities at most refineries are being increased,” said Dr Jyoti Shankar Jha, Senior Lead Scientist at Alleima. “All of this means the industry will inevitably face challenges related to corrosion.”

Many industries still rely on fossil fuels to meet their energy requirements. However, future energy demand will increasingly be met by renewable sources such as SAF, biodiesel, solar, and CBG. “Even a change in the crude feedstock can create problems,” said Dr Jha. “Refineries are typically designed for specific crude characteristics, such as low sulfur content. When the feedstock composition changes - especially toward higher sulfur levels - it can lead to unexpected corrosion challenges.”