Basic life range of seawater desalination titanium tubes
As the core components of reverse osmosis (RO) and thermal desalination systems, seawater desalination titanium tubes usually have a service life of 15-25 years. High-quality titanium tubes can even last for more than 30 years under ideal conditions, far exceeding ordinary stainless steel pipes (usually only 5-8 years). This ultra-long life makes titanium tubes the preferred material for seawater desalination projects. Although the initial investment is high, the full life cycle cost is more advantageous.
Five key factors affecting the life of titanium tubes
1. Material quality
Industrial pure titanium grade: GR1 and GR2 titanium tubes perform better than low-grade titanium materials
Impurity content: The content of impurities such as iron and oxygen affects corrosion resistance
Production process: The life of cold-rolled seamless titanium tubes is longer than that of welded tubes
2. Working environment
Seawater temperature: For every 10°C increase, the corrosion rate may increase by 1-2 times
Chloride ion concentration: High salinity seawater accelerates the risk of pitting corrosion
Flow rate design: It is recommended to maintain a flow rate of 1.5-3m/s to avoid erosion or deposition
3. System design
Galvanic corrosion: Avoid direct connection with materials with large potential differences, such as copper alloys
Stress distribution: Improper support design can cause stress corrosion cracking
Anti-fouling design: A reasonable filtration system can reduce biological attachment
4. Operation and maintenance
Cleaning cycle: It is recommended to clean professionally every 6-12 months
Monitoring system: Online corrosion monitoring can detect problems in advance
Shutdown protection: Drying should be carried out for long-term shutdown
5. Installation quality
Welding process: High-purity argon shielded welding is required
Sealing material: Titanium special gaskets should be used
Stress relief: Annealing treatment is recommended after installation
Practical methods to extend the service life of titanium tubes
Optimization of material selection
Choose cold-rolled seamless titanium tubes according to the ASTM B338 standard
Titanium-palladium alloy (GR7/GR12) is recommended for high temperature environments (>80°C)
Consider nano-coated titanium tubes to improve anti-fouling performance
Operation and maintenance recommendations
Regular monitoring: Measure the change in tube wall thickness every quarter
Chemical cleaning: Use a 5-10% citric acid solution for cyclic cleaning
Cathode protection: Apply -0.7V protection potential to key parts
Biological control: Use pulse electrolysis to prevent biological attachment technology
Failure warning signal
Blue-purple oxide film appears on the tube wall (initial stage)
White corrosion product accumulation appears locally
Heat transfer efficiency decreases by more than 15%
Working pressure increases abnormally
Comparison of the life of titanium tubes with other materials
| Material type | Typical life (years) | Annual corrosion rate (mm/a) | Applicable seawater temperature |
| Industrial pure titanium (GR2) | 15-30 | <0.0025 | ≤120°C |
| Super stainless steel 254SMO | 8-12 | 0.01-0.03 | ≤60°C |
| Copper-nickel alloy 90/10 | 5-8 | 0.03-0.05 | ≤40°C |
| Carbon steel (coating) | 3-5 | >0.1 | ≤30°C |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do titanium tubes in the Middle East generally have a longer lifespan?
A: The seawater temperature in the region is higher, but the biological activity is lower, which reduces biological corrosion, while the problem of biological attachment in temperate waters is more prominent.
Q: Do titanium tubes need to be replaced regularly?
A: There is no need to preset the replacement cycle. It should be determined through condition monitoring. If the performance meets the standard, it can continue to be used.
Q: How to determine whether the titanium tube should be replaced?
A: When the wall thickness is reduced by more than 30% of the design value, or when a through crack appears, replacement should be considered.
Q: How to deal with waste titanium tubes?
A: Titanium materials are 100% recyclable, and the residual value can reach 40-60% of the price of new materials.
Choose a high-quality titanium tube supplier and implement scientific maintenance, and your desalination system will get the best return on investment. We provide a full range of seawater desalination titanium tubes products that meet ASTM/ASME standards and offer professional technical support. Welcome to consult specific project requirements.
