Allpax, a product brand of ProMach, introduces a new corrosion inspection program to improve workplace safety and reduce the risk of premature pressure vessel failure due to corrosion in carbon-steel and 300-series stainless-steel retorts. The Allpax 40-point inspection is based on the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) 510 standard for certified pressure vessel inspection.
Retorts have an internal environment of high temperature and pressure created by steam, water, and oxygen. When excessive harmful chloride ions are present inside, or even on the outside of the retort, the ions act as a catalyst for starting and accelerating corrosion in stainless steel during the retort cycle. Unless steps are taken to identify, reduce, or eliminate the causes of corrosion, batch retorts may have their service lives cut short, resulting in production disruptions and the need for early replacement of corroded vessels. There are associated worker safety issues from corroded sections as well. Allpax has written a white paper on this topic, Understanding the Causes of Stainless-Steel Corrosion in Retorts and Practical Steps to Prevent Corrosion.