Acidic and Corrosive Gases

Corrosive gases pose severe challenges to compressor material compatibility, sealing reliability, and long-term operational safety. The key to successfully handling these media lies in precise anti-corrosion design based on the specific gas characteristics. Leveraging Huayan's proven dual-technology platform of diaphragm compressors and oil-free piston compressors — combined with the safety and material systems validated in our oxidizing and flammable gas projects — we deliver targeted, safe, and reliable total compressor solutions for corrosive gas compression.

Core Challenges & Response Strategies for Corrosive Gases

Corrosion is not a single phenomenon. Its mechanism varies with gas composition and condition (especially moisture content), directly determining material selection and structural design.

1.Chlorine (Cl2): Stable when dry, but reacts with water to form highly corrosive hydrochloric acid and hypochlorous acid. Moisture content is therefore the decisive factor in compressor material selection. Huayan uses absolutely oil-free, zero-leakage diaphragm compressors to eliminate the risk of oil reacting with chlorine from the start, while strictly drying the gas-phase piping and upgrading materials based on the medium condition.

2.Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S): In wet environments, it triggers electrochemical corrosion, leading to hydrogen blistering (HB), hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC), and sulfide stress corrosion cracking (SSC). This requires all pressure-containing compressor parts to comply with SSC-resistant standards (e.g., NACE MR0103 / ISO 15156), with strict limits on carbon steel hardness and strength. Huayan selects HIC/SSC-resistant materials for piston compressor cylinders, valves, and piston rods, and uses high-grade stainless steel or alloys for diaphragm compressor cylinder heads and gas paths.

3.Hydrogen Chloride (HCl): Forms strong hydrochloric acid in contact with water, causing uniform corrosion, while chloride ions (Cl-) can trigger stress corrosion cracking in austenitic stainless steel. The compressor solution demands extremely high sealing integrity, strong acid-resistant materials, and temperature control to slow corrosion. Huayan preferentially selects diaphragm compressors for physical isolation, and uses Hastelloy, high-molybdenum stainless steel, or fluoroplastic lining for parts in contact with the medium.

4.Ammonia (NH3): In the presence of oxygen and water, it causes stress corrosion cracking in copper alloys and certain stainless steels. Compressor design must avoid restricted copper alloy components and ensure the system is clean and dry. Huayan adopts a copper-free design, with seals and structural components made from 304/316L stainless steel and other ammonia-resistant materials.

HUAYAN solves these challenges with gas-specific compressor engineering:

For chlorine: our diaphragm compressors provide absolute oil-free, zero-leakage compression with strictly dried piping and moisture-adapted material upgrades — eliminating oil-chlorine reaction risk at the source.

For H2S: piston compressor cylinders, valves, and piston rods use HIC/SSC-resistant materials compliant with NACE MR0103 / ISO 15156, with strict limits on carbon steel hardness — because sudden failure in sour gas service is not an option.

For HCl: we preferentially deploy diaphragm compressors with Hastelloy, high-molybdenum stainless steel, or fluoroplastic lining for all medium-contact parts, combined with extreme sealing integrity and temperature control to slow corrosion rates.

For ammonia: our copper-free design uses 304/316L stainless steel seals and structural components — because you can't manage stress corrosion cracking if you don't know which materials are in your system.

The result: a compressor that resists the specific corrosion mechanism in your gas — not a generic guess. With nearly 60 years of material science experience and full-lifecycle monitoring and maintenance systems, we ensure your corrosive gas compressor delivers predictable performance and controllable lifecycle costs, even in the most aggressive media.