How do most vanadium inhibitors work?

      In industrial scenarios such as petroleum refining and heavy oil combustion, vanadium is like an "invisible killer". It exists in the form of vanadium compounds and exhibits strong corrosiveness and catalytic activity in high temperature environments. It can cause serious corrosion to refining equipment, combustion devices, etc., shorten equipment service life, affect production efficiency and product quality, and bring huge economic losses to enterprises. The emergence of vanadium inhibitors has brought hope for solving this problem. So, how do most vanadium inhibitors work to resist the harm of vanadium elements?

1. Reacting with vanadium compounds

      Changing the chemical state of vanadium: In industrial scenarios such as petroleum refining, vanadium often exists in the form of specific compounds and poses a hazard to equipment. Vanadium inhibitors can undergo chemical reactions with vanadium compounds, altering the chemical valence state of vanadium. For example, in catalytic cracking units, vanadium deposits on the surface of the catalyst, damaging its structure and active centers. After the reaction between vanadium inhibitors and vanadium compounds, the new substances generated are more likely to detach from the catalyst surface or form substances that have less impact on the catalyst activity, reducing the toxicity of vanadium to the catalyst and maintaining the normal progress of the catalytic reaction.

      Forming stable new compounds: The reaction between vanadium inhibitors and vanadium compounds can generate stable new compounds. These new compounds have lower activity and will not cause serious damage to equipment like the original vanadium compounds. For example, in some energy generation processes, newly generated stable compounds do not have strong corrosive effects on equipment metals in high-temperature environments.

2. Change the physical properties of vanadium compounds

      Adjusting the melting and boiling points: Vanadium compounds may exist in gaseous or liquid form in high-temperature environments, making it easy to deposit and scale on equipment surfaces. Vanadium inhibitors can increase the melting and boiling points of vanadium compounds, keeping them in a solid state at high temperatures and reducing their fluidity and deposition tendency inside equipment. In gas turbines, it can reduce the deposition of vanadium compounds on key components such as turbine blades, ensuring equipment performance and lifespan.

      Change solubility: Vanadium inhibitors can alter the solubility of vanadium compounds, making them more easily soluble in specific media, facilitating their discharge from equipment, and reducing the accumulation of vanadium in the equipment. For example, in some processes of petroleum refining, vanadium compounds are allowed to flow out of the equipment with specific liquids by changing their solubility.

3. Form a protective layer on the surface of the equipment

      Vanadium inhibitors can form a dense protective film on the surface of equipment. This protective film can isolate the direct contact between vanadium compounds and the metal surface of the equipment, preventing corrosion and wear caused by vanadium. It has good adhesion and chemical stability, and can maintain its integrity for a long time in high temperature, high pressure, and corrosive environments. For example, in the heating furnace tube of petroleum refining, it can prevent vanadium compounds from coming into contact with the metal on the tube wall, thereby extending the service life of the heating furnace tube.

4. Inhibit the catalytic activity of vanadium compounds

      In some industrial processes, vanadium compounds have catalytic activity and can cause unwanted side reactions, affecting product quality and yield. Vanadium inhibitors can inhibit the catalytic activity of vanadium compounds and reduce the occurrence of side reactions. For example, in the reforming reaction of petroleum processing, vanadium may catalyze cracking reactions, leading to a decrease in octane value of products such as gasoline. After adding vanadium inhibitors, the catalytic activity of vanadium can be reduced, allowing the reforming reaction to proceed in the expected direction, improving product quality and economic benefits.
      With the continuous innovation of industrial technology and the pursuit of environmental protection and efficient production, the mechanism of action of vanadium inhibitors will also be continuously optimized and improved. In the future, we are expected to see the emergence of more environmentally friendly, efficient, and durable vanadium inhibitors that can more accurately address vanadium issues under different working conditions. At the same time, the integration of vanadium inhibitors with other advanced technologies will also become a development trend, bringing more innovation and breakthroughs to industrial production, and promoting the industry to move towards a new stage of development.