In the refining of high-sulfur and high-salt crude oil, titanium equipment is an ideal choice. Internationally, titanium equipment has been successfully used for decades in processes such as atmospheric distillation units, wastewater treatment systems, condensers for desulfurization separation towers, and stripper heat exchangers. In China, titanium-cast seawater pumps, titanium condensers for catalytic cracking fractionation, cryogenic separation titanium condensers, and porous titanium plates have been operating normally for over a decade.

Chlorinated hydrocarbons are among the largest product categories in petrochemicals. Due to chlorination reactions, stainless steel equipment struggles to perform. Abroad, titanium is used to manufacture dichloromethane distillation towers, trichloroethane heat exchangers, condensers, fractionation towers, trichloroethylene condensers, perchloroethylene heat exchangers, and multi-chloride coil heaters. In China, Ti-0.2Pd linings have been applied to cooling towers, wastewater strippers, and tank support frames, pipes, and flange sealing surfaces in vinyl chloride production, with no corrosion observed after nearly a decade. Titanium pipelines, fittings, and gas distributors have also been in use for years.

Terephthalic acid (TPA), a raw material for polyester synthesis, is produced via para-xylene oxidation. Both high- and low-temperature oxidation processes involve high-temperature corrosion from acetic acid and bromides. At temperatures above 135°C, 316L stainless steel develops pitting within hours, necessitating titanium under design codes. Beijing Petrochemical Plant imported 16 full sets of titanium equipment, including oxidation reactors, solvent dehydration towers, heaters, condensers, and reboilers. Nanjing Yangzi Petrochemical introduced a 450,000-ton/year TPA plant with 56 titanium units and extensive titanium pipelines and valves. Shanghai Petrochemical Complex imported a 32m-high oxidation reactor (upper diameter: 4m, lower diameter: 5.3m, volume: 505m³, weight: 175 tons), demonstrating excellent performance and broad application prospects.

Titanium heat exchangers, condensers, and auxiliary equipment have been successfully used in petrochemical plants for over 20 years. The most common titanium materials are commercial pure titanium (TA2) and Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Low-iron grades are required in hydrogen-absorption or hydrogen-embrittlement scenarios, especially in weld zones. Phenol, a key petrochemical feedstock, is produced via isopropylbenzene and cumene hydroperoxide processes. While foreign countries adopted titanium equipment over a decade ago, China is still developing this technology. In traditional phenol production using benzene sulfonation, titanium neutralization reactors, titanium coil coolers, and ion-nitrided titanium agitator sleeves have proven effective.

Urea, a high-quality fertilizer and petrochemical feedstock, has seen nearly 10,000 titanium-lined synthesis towers globally since the first unit was commissioned in 1963. These towers show negligible corrosion, whereas 316L stainless steel corrodes at 4.1–4.5 mm/year. Beyond synthesis towers, China has adopted titanium CO₂ strippers, heat exchangers, mixers, and pump valves since the 1970s.

In ethylene-to-acetaldehyde, acetaldehyde-to-acetic acid, and propylene-to-acetone oxidation processes, catalysts are the primary corrosive agents. Titanium’s superior corrosion resistance outperforms stainless steel. The U.S. successfully applied titanium in ethylene-to-acetaldehyde production in 1963. China’s first ethylene oxidation plant, commissioned in 1976, continues to operate smoothly. Foreign titanium-lined reactors (9.6m tall, 3m diameter) and 11 auxiliary titanium units (heat exchangers, catalyst regenerators, acetaldehyde coolers) are in use. Post-1980s, Shanghai and Jilin imported foreign ethylene oxidation systems with titanium equipment and valves, achieving excellent results.

For acetone production via propylene oxidation, a standardized design includes 12 titanium units, with a 30,000-ton/year plant requiring 40 tons of titanium equipment. In China’s acetaldehyde-to-acetic acid processes, titanium is used for high-boiling-point reboilers, first-grade acetic acid tower reboilers, and condensers. Abroad, titanium is applied in distillation, fractionation, and rectification towers, particularly in low-alkane oxidation to acetic acid, where byproducts (e.g., 8% formic acid) require titanium’s unmatched corrosion resistance.