Industrial Cooling Water—Corrosion

Abstract

Corrosion is often a problem when metals are in contact with an aqueous environment. It may be defined as the deterioration and loss of metal due to some form of chemical attack. In general, it results from impurities in the water, which need only to be in trace quantities to initiate corrosion. Trace impurities can include gases dissolved from the atmosphere, particularly oxygen and carbon dioxide, that play important roles in the corrosion process. Small amounts of mineral salts in water can also become involved in corrosion reactions. Where the metal makes up an essential component of a structure, such as a bridge or equipment forming part of an industrial process, for example, a cooling water circuit, constant vigilance is required to maintain the integrity of the structure and the equipment involved. Corrosion is a complex phenomenon dependent on chemical and physical conditions within the particular system.