Fireside Corrosion and Pollutant Emission from Crude Oil Combustion

Abstract

A pilot-scale research boiler was used to evaluate the corrosion and pollution potential of a western Canadian mixed-blend crude oil from the Interprovincial Pipeline. It was demonstrated that this crude oil, even when deliberately contaminated with high levels of salt, can be burned successfully with moderately low excess air. In addition, problems associated with low-temperature deposits, low-temperature corrosion, and pollutant emissions were minimal. High-temperature corrosion, due to either oil ash or gas-phase oxidation, can be controlled by proper selection of boiler tube material. Low-temperature pump and screen tests on the as-received crude oil indicated that no pumping or screen-plugging problems should occur at temperatures above the maximum pour point.