NACE 34109-2009

This state-of-the-art report describes the associated corrosion mechanisms in refinery crude distillation unit (CDU) distillation tower overhead systems and current industry practices for mitigating or controlling this corrosion. Distillation towers in a typical CDU may include a preflash tower, an atmospheric tower, and a vacuum tower. Feedstock, unit configurations, and associated process variables are addressed, from the crude oil storage tanks to the distillation tower overhead drums.

This report is intended as a technical resource for materials and corrosion specialists, process engineers, and operators at oil refining companies; chemical-treatment suppliers; and other companies involved in analyzing and preventing CDU distillation tower overhead corrosion.