|
Demand for urea, a typical chemical fertilizer, has been growing
2-3% a year due to the rising world population and resultant food problems. Recently,
urea has also been used as a raw material for cosmetic products and as a
reduction agent for exhaust gas of the next-generation diesel vehicles attracting
much attention against the background of global warming and soaring gasoline
prices.
At urea plants, severe corrosion caused by ammonium carbament in the
process of composite reaction has been a serious problem for many years. With a
view to solving the problem, two stainless steel producers and Toyo jointly
developed super duplex stainless steel and applied it for urea composition
pipes. The stainless steel grade proved that it can offer longer product life
and lower maintenance costs than titanium.
This application has demonstrated that stainless steel helps solve food
problems and global warming, and in addition it contributes to developing
stainless steel markets with good future potential.
|
