The new generation of FGD systems are planned to operate in a near closed-loop mode to minimize waste discharge in order to meet the 1990 U. S. Clean Air Act Amendments. Because of this closed-loop operation, the chloride concentration in the S02 absorbers could build up as high as 100,000 ppm. Some duplex and 4-6% Mo containing stainless steels are candidate materials of construction for these absorbers. The corrosion behavior of some candidate alloys (i.e. Alloy 2205, Type 317LMN and 6% Mo stainless steels) has been investigated in simulated S02 absorber environments. In addition to these alloys, Type 316L stainless steel and the nickel-base alloy C-276 were tested as reference alloys. Both welded and unwelded coupons of the alloys were exposed to calcium chloride brines having chloride mncentrations of 10,000, 20,000, 30,000, 50,000, and 100,000 ppm at temperatures of 55° and 80°C. Alloy C-276 experienced only very light uniform attack with corrosion rates of less than 1.0 mpy. All the other alloys experienced significant corrosion attack under the scale deposits, some pitting of the base metal, and
considerable localized attack in the heat affected zones adjacent to the welds. The overall performance of the alloys in the order of decreasing corrosion resistance was as follows: Alloy C-276> 6% Mo stainless steel> Alloy 2205> Type 317LMN> Type 316L. The temperature was a more significant variable in promoting corrosion of the alloys than was chloride concentration in the range investigated.
Keywords: FGD absorber, corrosion, Mo-stainless steels, Alloy 2205, Alloy C-276, and weld corrosion