Using This Material, Seawater Desalination Equipment Manufacturers Can Save Huge Costs Every Year

Desalination is the process of removing excess salt and other minerals from water. It is an important emerging process that transports fresh water to more and more places around the world.

 

As new processes emerge, we get the opportunity to explore newer and less corrosion-prone materials, meaning that desalination units last longer and work better. Historically, these desalination tanks were made with shell materials that included mild steel or mild steel with a linking of copper-nickel, clad steel or stainless steel. Newer construction often includes solid duplex stainless steel instead.

 

Desalination Process

 

The materials required in the Desalination Industry

Super Duplex and Duplex Pipes are widely used in the desalination industry. These grades include S31803, S32205, S32750 and S32760. These highly specialised materials are able to withstand corrosion, have high strength and have proven themselves to be able to perform consistently over long periods of time in particularly harsh environments.

 

Super Duplex and Duplex fittings and flanges can be found as structural and mechanical components, in technical equipment and as part of complex operational systems. But aside from Super Duplex and Duplex, AL6XN (UNS N08367) also have exemplary resistance to a number of chemicals and are particularly appropriate for environments such as brackish water, and seawater that present high chloride conditions.

At present, 254SMO full austenitic stainless steel is used as the material for the manufacture of seawater condensers. This material is added with an appropriate amount of Cr, Ni, Mo, Cu, and N to make it excellent in corrosion resistance, heat transfer, and mechanical properties. The physical properties and performance are superior to copper alloys, and the economic cost is lower than that of titanium steel. It is an excellent material for upgrading copper alloy condensers.

 

The majority of modern desalination plants are constructed using Duplex Stainless Steel. The grades of choice are typically Grades 2205 and 2507. Both of alloy 2205 and alloy 2507 contain molybdenum and have extremely high corrosion resistance and mechanical strength. The incredible strength of these particular Duplex Stainless Steels means that the thickness and weight of some equipment – such as evaporator vessels – can be reduced, subsequently reducing costs for the manufacturer and operator.

For example, in some types of seawater desalination equipment used in hydropower stations, islands, and ships, a high-pressure pump called SW Pump are required, and this part is usually made of super duplex 2507 material. The equipment is a dedicated plunger pump for seawater desalination, made of 2507 duplex steel, which is more corrosion-resistant and durable. The electric power of the pump is lower and the energy consumption is small.

 

We regularly receive large orders for thinner wall pipes, fittings and flanges in high-performing 6% Moly, Super Duplex and Duplex for use in desalination plants. These materials are able to cope with the corrosive environment and therefore stand the test of time for our customers.