In the petroleum industry, the refining process involves severe corrosion from sulfides, chlorides, and other compounds, particularly in equipment such as primary distillation towers, atmospheric tower tops, and overhead condensers. The use of titanium materials in these areas has effectively resolved corrosion issues.

Internationally, refineries first adopted titanium tubes as coolers, not only for seawater-exposed areas but also for non-seawater-cooled heat exchangers. Titanium tubes in crude oil distillation tower condensers prevent chloride and sulfide corrosion. Titanium tube bundles with tube sheets have been used in the U.S. and the U.K. for decades, including in crude oil heaters and wastewater-cooled product condensers. Traditional copper-nickel or Monel alloy exchangers suffered from sulfide-induced corrosion and short lifespans. Titanium heat exchangers have proven highly effective. For example, Exxon Bayway Refinery operates over 40 titanium tube heat exchangers, with extensive titanium equipment also deployed in catalytic cracking, process water treatment, hydrofining, desulfurization, unsaturated separation, hydrogen purification, reforming, tubular distillation, and polymerization processes.

1. Metallurgical Industry

With the development of metallurgy, titanium is widely adopted as a high-strength, corrosion-resistant structural material. In hydrometallurgy, traditional materials like aluminum alloys and acid-resistant stainless steel fail under exposure to alkalis, acids, corrosive gases, and dust. Titanium equipment enhances productivity, reduces leaks, and minimizes environmental pollution.

2. Electrolytic Nickel Production

Titanium’s exceptional corrosion resistance makes it ideal for equipment exposed to highly acidic solutions and active ions in nickel electrolysis.

Titanium Cathode Plates: Compared to stainless steel, they offer better economics and performance:

Nickel deposits adhere less, enabling easier peeling and higher stripping rates.

Flat, rigid titanium plates ensure uniform current density.

Examples: Shanghai Smelter and Jinchuan Nonferrous Metals Company report significant economic benefits.

Additional applications include titanium heaters, pumps, and valves in nickel production.

Electrolytic Copper Production

Titanium Cathode Rollers: Replace steel rollers prone to pitting from electrolyte corrosion, improving copper foil quality and reducing maintenance costs.

Titanium Heaters and Cathode Plates: Widely used in copper electrolysis.

Titanium equipment is also applied in cobalt, zinc, aluminum, mercury smelting, and tungstic acid purification, including electrolytic cells, reactors, scrubbers, heat exchangers, agitators, evaporators, and dust collectors, delivering notable efficiency gains.

3. Power Industry

Condensers in thermal and nuclear power plants are critical components. Coastal plants, which use large volumes of seawater, face severe corrosion from sand, suspended solids, marine organisms, and corrosive salts. Traditional copper alloy condenser tubes corrode and leak within 1 year.

China began researching titanium condenser tubes in the 1970s. Baoji Titanium Group developed cold-rolled seamless thin-walled titanium tubes, deployed in condensers at Jinshan Thermal Power Plant and Zhenhai Power Plant. Titanium condensers last 4–6 times longer than copper alloys, ensuring stable and safe operations.