Mercury forms amalgams with other metals particularly aluminium. It has the potential to cause corrosion of; welds, compressor seals, stems, seats and pump shafts made from Cu/Ni alloys.
Mercury can attack cryogenic components including aluminium based heat exchangers where failure can lead to plant shutdown with potentially severe financial implications e.g. Algeria (Skikda), Australia (Moomba), Wyoming (where the plant shutdown caused a national gas shortage).
Mercury can be problematic to refiners by causing premature catalytic bed failure. If an oilfield contains high concentrations of mercury there is the potential for the release of mercury in concentrated quantities or even as the liquid metal into the environment.
Protection of Assets from Mercury
Mercury forms amalgams with other metals particularly aluminium. It has the potential to cause corrosion of; welds, compressor seals, stems, seats and pump shafts made from Cu/Ni alloys.
Mercury can attack cryogenic components including aluminium based heat exchangers where failure can lead to plant shutdown with potentially severe financial implications e.g. Algeria (Skikda), Australia (Moomba), Wyoming (where the plant shutdown caused a national gas shortage).
Mercury can be problematic to refiners by causing premature catalytic bed failure. If an oilfield contains high concentrations of mercury there is the potential for the release of mercury in concentrated quantities or even as the liquid metal into the environment.