International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Science (IJAERS) [Vol-7, Issue-11, Nov- 2020] https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijaers.711.37 ISSN: 2349-6495(P) | 2456-1908(O) www.ijaers.com Page | 292 Evaluation of Cupronickel Alloy Used in Sodium Chloride Solutions Contaminated with Nitrogenated Fertilizers. Edilson F. de Barros, Fernando B. Mainier Escola de Engenharia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil Received: 2 Sept 2020; Received in revised form: 8 Nov 2020; Accepted: 20 Nov 2020; Available online: 30 Nov 2020 ©2020 The Author(s). Published by AI Publications. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Abstract— Cupronickel alloys have been used in the manufacture of equipment, pumps and pipes for refrigeration systems and heat exchangers, among other applications. Certain nitrogen fertilizer plants are built near seaports for the transport of products, and use seawater for refrigeration systems. However, in the case of accidental discharge, it is important that seawater capture does not cause damage to materials and equipment, preserving the integrity and guaranteeing the service life of the equipment. The present work analyses the behavior of cupronickel 90/10 alloy (Cu with 10 wt. % Ni) in relation to corrosion, through the development of gravimetric (mass loss) and electrochemical tests in solutions of 3.5 wt. % sodium chloride, with the additions of nitrogen fertilizer in several proportions. A superficial attack was observed on the surfaces of the alloy specimens, and the presence of pits was not observed. In addition, a greenish coloration on the surface developed with increased immersion time and with the greatest addition of fertilizer. The results of the mass loss tests of the cupronickel alloy with saline solution showed that for nitrogen fertilizer injection, in concentrations of 1, 3 and 5 wt. %, the corrosivity varies from low to moderate, and that despite suffering corrosion in the saline environment, cupronickel has a good resistance to this corrosive process, and can be considered the most suitable material for application in highly aggressive environments, such as in the sea water capture system. Keywords— Copper-nickel alloy, corrosion, laboratory tests, nitrogen fertilizer. I. INTRODUCTION Copper and copper-nickel alloys (also known as cupronickels) have been used for more than 60 years in seawater applications, typically in pipes, pumps, heat exchangers and condensers, due to their good resistance to corrosion. It is well-known from several previous reports [1-4] that the addition of nickel to copper, as a component alloy, to form cupronickel alloys gives rise to the production of corrosion-resistant material. For this reason, cupronickel alloys have been used in the construction of equipment for the chemical industry in general. Fertilizers are products that constitute one of the main substances and/or mixtures in agricultural industry. The fertilizer industry is one of the most prosperous businesses in the agribusiness world. Industrial products such as nitrates can be used as petrochemicals and in mining, and in some cases are extremely toxic, flammable, or corrosive, bringing serious risks inherent to the population and the environment. In addition, these products have dangerous and unhealthy manufacturing processes, generating various wastes and ensuring that any type of leak may be harmful, at least [5,6]. In the same way that nitrate-based fertilisers are a source of nitrogen for the development of agriculture, so, against society, nitrate-based compounds serve the explosives and weapons industry. Hence, the positioning of accidents in the industrial sector. Accidents in fertilizer factories have occurred over the last few decades, and have brought to light the risks surrounding these industries [7]. In the present study, a fertilizer factory was examined, which will not be identified for privacy reasons, located near the sea port for the purpose of facilitating drainage, and where sea water is reused in the refrigeration system (very common in plants of this type). In this cooling system, sea water is captured, used to exchange heat with the piping system, heat exchangers and condensers, cooling pumps, and then returns to the sea,