PickT: A Decision-Making Tool for the Optimal Pickling Process Operation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Industrial Chemistry

Background:

• Existing dynamic models for steel pickling lack predictability and simplicity.
• There is a practical need for a software tool to optimize pickling operations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and verify a decision-making tool (PickT) for optimizing the steel pickling process.
• To address knowledge gaps in dynamic modeling of pickling processes.

Main Methods:

• Development of the PickT software tool.
• Verification using two experimental datasets involving steel pickling in hydrochloric acid with different corrosion inhibitors (Cetilpyridinium bromide and metformin hydrochloride) and operating conditions.
• Testing the tool's transferability across various parameters like inhibitor type, concentration, and batch duration.

Main Results:

• PickT was developed and verified against experimental findings from both test rounds.
• The tool demonstrated reliable forecasts with a low amount of field data.
• PickT accurately estimated optimum corrosion inhibitor addition, pickling bath lifetime, corrosion rate, and material mass loss.

Conclusions:

• PickT offers a straightforward, accessible solution for optimizing industrial steel pickling operations.
• The tool's ability to provide reliable forecasts makes it valuable for untrained professionals.
• PickT successfully addresses the need for improved predictability and simplicity in pickling process modeling.