Loss prevention of cooling tower with an open loop system at cooling tower pipeline on a biodiesel plant: Analysis and safety implications

Abstract

This study aims to discuss cooling tower corrosion using the gravimetric method, as well as analyse the economic and safety implications of damaged cooling tower pipes in biodiesel plants due to a lack of maintenance. SEM analysis revealed that splashing water from the cooling tower accelerates the formation of a silica crust on the cooling tower suction pump. The System Hazard Identification, Prediction and Prevention (SHIPP) methodology as well as the accident model and Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) are presented for future work. In this study data was collected at 10 different points to confirm the thickness of the cooling tower pipe. The corrosion that occurred in the first year was 0.7682 mm/y, while the corrosion that occurred in years 8 to 10 was relatively more stable at around 0.0090 mm/y. The weight loss and metal loss that occurred in the first year were 53 g/y and 0.7251 mm/y, while the weight loss and metal loss that occurred in years 8 to 10 were relatively more stable at around 6.5 g/y and 0.0802 mm/y. Failure to prevent corrosion problems in cooling tower pipes can result in a variety of safety problems, including equipment damage, operational disruptions, environmental impacts, safety hazards and financial consequences