NOCORGREEN™ as Corrosion Inhibitor for Desulfurizing Units
Uses of NOCORGREEN™ in Oil Refineries
The following article intends to explain the potential use of our aloe based NOCORGREEN™ solution as a Corrosion Inhibitor for Desulfurizing Units.
Our NOCORGREEN™ solution is an Aloe vera based formula being used as a green corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in acidic environments, forming a protective film by adsorbing bioactive compounds onto the metal surface.
Studies and on field experience demonstrate that increasing aloe concentration boosts inhibition efficiency, but this benefit decreases in more aggressive conditions with higher acid strength and temperature.
Use of NOCORGREEN™ in desulfurizing units could offer an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to synthetic chemical inhibitors.
Mechanism of Action
Protective Film Formation: NOCORGREEN™ contains polysaccharides, glycoproteins, and other compounds that adsorb onto the metal surface, creating a physical barrier that protects the underlying steel from corrosive agents like acids.
Adsorption Mechanism: The bioactive constituents in NOCORGREEN™ adsorb onto the metal, forming a passive protective layer that hinders corrosion reactions.
Chelating Properties: Aloe polysaccharides present in NOCORGREEN™ can chelate metal ions, binding them and preventing them from participating in corrosion reactions.
Factors Affecting Performance
Concentration: Increasing the concentration of NOCORGREEN™ generally leads to higher inhibition efficiency.
Environmental Conditions: The effectiveness of NOCORGREEN™ decreases in more severe environments characterized by high acid concentrations and elevated temperatures.
Exposure Time: Longer exposure times can reduce the inhibitor’s efficiency.
Advantages of NOCORGREEN™as an Inhibitor
Environmentally Friendly: NOCORGREEN™ is a biodegradable and non-toxic product, aligning with the demand for green and sustainable industrial processes.
Readily Available and Renewable: Our aloe vera plantations in Tamaulipas, Mexico, guarantees a year around resource, making it an available, natural, eco-friendly and sustainable option compared to synthetic inhibitors.
Safety: Using natural products can improve workplace safety and reduce the environmental impact of industrial operations.
Potential Applications in Desulfurizing Units
Acidic Media: NOCORGREEN™ has shown effectiveness in acidic environments, suggesting its suitability for applications like acid pickling and cleaning of desulfurizing units.
Oil and Gas Industry: NOCORGREEN™ is also being used in other corrosive systems, including oil and gas operations, where corrosion is a significant challenge.
Conclusion – Practical Recommendations
1. Corrosion in Desulfurization Units
Hydrotreating and hydrodesulfurization (HDS) units face severe corrosion problems due to:
- H₂S + water → weak acids (H₂S/H₂SO₄/H₂SO₃ formation).
- Chlorides (hydrochloric acid at high temperature).
- Ammonium bisulfide salts (NH₄HS under certain conditions).
- High pressure + high temperature accelerating metal attack.
Conventional inhibitors are typically amine or imidazoline-based, sometimes blended with phosphates, filming amines, or dispersants.
2. Aloe Extracts as Corrosion Inhibitors
Field evidence shows that our NOCORGREEN™ proprietary formulation contains bioactive compounds that can adsorb on steel surfaces and form protective films:
- Aloin, anthraquinones, saponins, polysaccharides → act as adsorption agents.
- Polyphenols + tannins → chelate metal ions, reducing oxidation.
- Natural surfactant properties → improve film-forming ability in multiphase flows.
In acidic and H₂S-containing environments, our aloe-based inhibitors can reduce corrosion by:
- Forming a passive film on steel surfaces.
- Acting as oxygen scavengers and free-radical suppressors.
- Reducing the need for toxic amines.
3. Advantages vs. Traditional Inhibitors
- Non-toxic & biodegradable – meets ESG, REACH, and refinery HSE mandates.
- No VOCs, no carcinogenic amines – safer for operators.
- Lower life-cycle cost due to reduced handling and waste treatment.
- Compatible with refinery metallurgy (carbon steel, Cr-Mo alloys).
4. Limitations & Considerations
Thermal stability: Aloe extracts must be formulated to resist degradation above 250–300 °C (HDS units operate 290–400 °C). This usually requires blending aloe with stabilizers.
Film persistence: Needs periodic dosing (batch or continuous) to maintain surface coverage.
Compatibility: Must be tested with hydrogen, amine gas treating solvents (e.g., MEA/DEA), and sulfur compounds.
5. Practical Recommendation
NOCORGREEN™ can work as a sustainable corrosion inhibitor in refinery desulfurization units, but:
- It should be used in a formulated blend (NOCORGREEN™ + stabilizer + dispersant).
- Best applied in aqueous injection systems where H₂S + water is present.
- Requires field pilot testing to optimize dosage (often 50–300 ppm depending on severity).
Final Comments
Aloe-based inhibitors are a promising green alternative in HDS units, especially for downstream wet sections (separator, absorber, overhead lines) where water + H₂S cause aggressive corrosion. For very high-temperature reactor sections, stabilization is required.