Tantalum Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers for Steel Pickling
Tantalum is the most corrosion-resistant metal in common use today. It is inert to practically all organic and inorganic compounds. Its corrosion resistance is very similar to glass, as both are unsuitable for use in hydrofluoric acid and strong hot alkali applications. For this reason, Tantalum is often used with glass-lined steel Reactors as patches, Dip Tubes, Piping and Overhead Condensers.
Tantalum is inert to sulfuric and hydrochloric acid in all concentrations below 300°F. Attack up to 400°F is not significant and Tantalum is in common use up to 500°F. Tantalum is not attacked by nitric acid in concentrations up to 98% and temperatures up to at least 212°F. Tantalum has proven itself to be totally inert in many applications. Some Heat Exchanger installations have been in continuous use for over 40 years in multi-product research environments without so much as a gasket change.
Tantalum Shell and Tube Vaporizer, 1225 Sq. Ft. 24″ Diameter x 240″ Long, includes Tantalum Lined Bonnets
Wide Range of Tantalum Applications
The corrosion resistance, heat transfer properties and workability of Tantalum make it a perfect construction material for a wide range of equipment and applications. Common types of Tantalum fabrication are Heat Exchangers, Condensers, Columns or Towers, Reactors, Helical Coils, Pipe Spools, Valve Linings and a variety of other components exposed to extremely corrosive fluids. Applications of Tantalum can be fabricated into most TEMA-type design Shell and Tube Heat Exchangers and Bayonet Heaters for chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical applications.
Applications of Tantalum should be considered wherever corrosion is a factor and long-term benefits of reduced downtime, increased life expectancy and profitability is important. For many applications, Tantalum is the only reasonable choice.
Tantalum Outperforms Other Materials
Tantalum Bayonet Heat Exchanger Horizontal, Carbon Steel Stinger Tube Bundle
Today’s global economy means increased competition. The control of cost including manufacturing efficiency, plant equipment costs and maintenance are paramount to survival. Chemical producers have recognized that increasing pressure and temperature increases efficiency in many applications. This also increases corrosion problems which Tantalum can handle.
Tantalum and Steel Pickling Applications
The largest cost of all is often maintenance and downtime. Industries from steel pickling to pharmaceutical have recognized that to stay competitive you first have to stay in production. It is no coincidence that the world’s best, most progressive, and most profitable steel pickling and pharmaceutical companies standardize on Tantalum equipment to solve their corrosion problems.
The relatively high initial cost of Tantalum equipment is offset by its extremely low corrosion and long life-time. Life cycle costs and manufacturing efficiencies need to be evaluated for a globally competitive manufacturing facility. Applications of Tantalum in process equipment meet all these challenges.
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CORROSION RESISTANCE OF TANTALUM |
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Please see our Technical Resources section for detailed corrosion resistance charts.
Tantalum Fabrications
TITAN regularly designs, engineers and fabricates the following types of Tantalum custom process equipment:
- Tantalum Heat Exchangers
- Tantalum Columns
- Tantalum Condensers
- Tantalum Reactors
- Tantalum Pressure Vessels
- Tantalum Piping Systems
- Tantalum Pipe
- Tantalum Spargers
TITAN does not purchase any materials that are known to come from conflict resources. See our Conflict-Free Materials Sourcing Policy.
Tantalum Applications
Tantalum serves many different applications in these industry categories:
- Pharmaceutical
- Steel Finishing
- Pesticides
- Herbicides
- Organics
- Inorganics
- Fine Chemicals
Tantalum is very well suited to many industrial processes. The following are some of the environments in which Tantalum is fully resistant*.
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For a general guide on corrosion resistance, temperatures and concentrations please see TITAN’s publication, “Corrosion Resistance of Metals in Various Chemical Media” for additional information.*
*Please Note: Final selection of material must be based on actual evaluation of the metal in the corrosive medium under study.
Is Tantalum a good choice for your application? Ask TITAN.
TITAN’s world-class team works together with leading mill metallurgists to solve the most challenging corrosion, application, mechanical or thermal design issues. Consult with us if you have need for unique Tantalum equipment. TITAN can also quickly let you know if another metal might better suit your application. Contact us by phone at (805) 487-5050 or toll-free (877) 487-5050 or email info@titanmf.com. We’re happy to help!