Final answer:
The most likely forms of corrosion in heat exchangers are crevice corrosion, galvanic corrosion, erosion corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking, with various preventative measures available.
Step-by-step explanation:
The forms of corrosion most likely to occur in heat exchangers include crevice corrosion, galvanic corrosion, erosion corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking. In the harsh environments where heat exchangers operate, the differences in concentration of ions or dissolved gases can lead to crevice corrosion, especially in narrow spaces where fluid flow is restricted. Galvanic corrosion occurs when two different metals are in electrical contact in the presence of an electrolyte, leading to one metal corroding preferentially to the other.
Erosion corrosion can result from high-velocity fluids causing the removal of a protective layer on the metal surface, exposing fresh metal to corrosive agents. Lastly, stress corrosion cracking is a result of the combined influence of tensile stress and a corrosive environment, leading to sudden material failure.
Preventive measures against corrosion in heat exchangers include using corrosion-resistant materials, applying protective coatings, and employing cathodic protection. These measures are essential to maintain the efficiency and longevity of heat exchangers, which are critical components in many industrial processes.