New industrial chimney system uses seals of Viton to resist acid damage

Citation

(1999), "New industrial chimney system uses seals of Viton to resist acid damage", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 46 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.1999.12846cab.018

New industrial chimney system uses seals of Viton to resist acid damage

New industrial chimney system uses seals of Viton^® to resist acid damage

Keywords Chimneys, Corrosion resistance, Du Pont Dow, Schott-Rohrglas

Schott-Rohrglas GmbH, of Bayreuth, Germany, reports that it has developed a system for repairing industrial chimneys and outdoor exhaust gas ducts damaged by chemically aggressive condensates of sulphurous and sulphuric acids. Trademarked Recusist^®, the new system consists of specially resistant glass, and sealing elements of Viton fluoroelastomer from Du Pont Dow Elastomers which reportedly remain completely unaffected by such chemicals (Plate 4).

Plate 4 Flexible seals of Du Pont Dow Viton fluoroelastomer fitted to the new Recusist glass chimney system by Schott-Rohrglas GmbH

According to Schott-Rohrglas, the development solves the problem of acid condensate in exhaust gas systems caused by ever lower exhaust temperatures from thermal generators, due to energy saving. These highly aggressive condensates, consisting mainly of sulphurous and sulphuric acids with a pH value of about 1, can eventually destroy chimneywork.

Viton is stated to be highly resistant to the corrosive acids present in offgases from oil- or gas-fired thermal units, and provides an effective seal against exhaust gas at pressures up to 1,000Pa and temperatures of 200°C.

The flexible sealing units of Viton, made by E.H. Kluge GmbH, of Trittau, Germany, also contribute substantially to the performance of the Recusist system by forming shock-absorbing connecting sleeves between the individual glass pipe sections. In addition, they help to centre and stabilise the glass pipes during installation, and compensate for movement in the case of free-standing exhaust gas systems supported by carrier pylons.

Further details from Du Pont Dow Elastomers. Tel: +44 (0)1442 346800; Fax: +44 (0)1442 346810.