TITAN’s Tantalum Reactors are commonly used in process equipment for applications in chemical processing, pharmaceutical and steel pickling. They are praised as very cost-effective methods for corrosion-resistance against leaks in the process line.

TITAN Metal Fabricators is globally known as a Reactor manufacturer specializing in design and fabrication utilizing reactive metals such as Tantalum.

The following information is provided as background on Tantalum, the alloy’s characteristics, strengths and how consideration of Tantalum Reactor could be the answer to corrosion in your application.

Life Cycle Benefits of Tantalum Reactors

Tantalum Reactors should be considered for any application where corrosion is a factor and the long-term benefits of reduced downtime, increased life expectancy and profitability are important.

Tantalum Reactors can solve many of the problems inherent with other materials of construction.  It is not brittle and will not crack like impregnated graphite. A TITAN Tantalum Reactor is a fully-welded design and will not leak like some Reactors fabricated of a lesser material.

Tantalum Reactors can:

  • Eliminate downtime due to equipment failure
  • Provide superior corrosion resistance
  • Accommodate high steam pressures
  • Eliminate process leaks

Typically, when a plant is designed, applications that are highly aggressive will be specified with corrosion-resistant material of construction. Tantalum is often specified because of its superior ability to allow for increase in process temperature and pressure.

Please see the Applications of Tantalum for typical mils of corrosion of various materials in hostile environments.

Tantalum the Metal

Tantalum is the most corrosion-resistant metal in common use today.  It is inert to practically all organic and inorganic compounds. Tantalum is inert to sulfuric and hydrochloric acid below 300°F.  Attack up to 400°F is not significant and is common use up to 500°F. It has good thermal conductivity and erosion resistance. It forms easily, is highly workable and weldable. This makes it an ideal tube material for corrosion-resistant Reactors.

Please see Applications of Tantalum for additional Tantalum uses, some comparative corrosion resistance data including media, concentrations and temperatures.

TITAN does not purchase any materials that are known to come from conflict resources. See our Conflict-Free Materials Sourcing Policy.

Our Technical Resources area also has a complete section on Tantalum properties and corrosion resistance.

Tantalum Reactor Designs

Tantalum Reactors can be fabricated for chemical, petrochemical, steel and pharmaceutical applications.

TITAN designs and custom fabricates many different styles of Tantalum Reactors in accordance with all major international design standards and pressure vessel codes.

Thermal designs use HTRI and AspenTech.

Manufacturing capacities include widths up to 120″ diameter, 300’ in length and weights up to 200 tons.

TITAN regularly works with its customers to find creative solutions to corrosive issues. Tantalum Reactors can utilize fiberglass, PTFE lined, glass-lined carbon steel or Tantalum-lined carbon steel. Tantalum can also be explosive clad to carbon steel to form a bimetallic material of construction. This is an ideal solution for very high pressure Tantalum Reactors.

Designs and accessories to Tantalum Reactors include:

  • Solid wall
  • Explosive clad
  • Standard jacket
  • Half pipe jacket
  • Baffles
  • Outlet valves
  • Dip tubes
  • Spargers

Tantalum Corrosion Resistance

The steel finishing industry uses 20% hydrochloric acid at 200°F to pickle carbon steel.  Tantalum Reactors are the perfect choice for dependable, robust, low maintenance pickle lines.  TITAN Tantalum Reactors are specified by every major North American steel mill.  Please visit our Steel Pickling Heat Exchanger page for more information.

Sulfuric Acid is concentrated by boiling it up to 500°F in Tantalum Reactors. TITAN has some specialized designs perfected over many years of successful experience.

Tantalum Reactor applications:

  • HCL – carbon steel pickling
  • H2SO4 – for stainless steel pickling
  • Tantalum used for many markets including pharmaceutical, pesticides and herbicides.
  • Organic, inorganic and fine chemical applications

To view a list of process materials where Tantalum is commonly used, please visit Applications of Tantalum.

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.

 

Back to Reactors