4 minutes with… Kristina Osterman, Consultant, Nickel Institute

Tell us about your company and it’s role in the Advanced Bioeconomy.

We are an international non-profit industry association with key focus on the development of responsible and sustainable use of stainless steel and other nickel-containing materials. We are here to support the developing bio-based chemicals industry with NEUTRAL and COMPLIMENTARY TECHNICAL ADVICE regarding the optimal use of STAINLESS STEELS and other CORROSION RESISTANT ALLOYS.

Tell us about your role and what you are focused on in the next 12 months.

With the impressive amount of new process technology development taking place in the industrial biotechnology industry, numerous novel plant designs are needed. It can be challenging to know what materials to select for required processing equipment in these new plant designs.This is especially critical in commercial size plant scale-ups.

There are numerous alternatives between the basic 304(L) and nickel alloys C276 and C22. Biomass feedstocks present some challenges due to much higher oxygen contents and the constant presence of water in the processes. In addition corrosive organic acids are typically present, e.g. formic and acetic acid.

Choosing the right materials for required processing equipment will contribute to lower total plant costs, lower operating and maintenance costs. Selecting the wrong materials can lead to major corrosion problems and be very costly. Our corrosion specialists are a phone call away, or https://inquiries.nickelinstitute.org/

What do you feel are the most important milestones the industry must achieve in the next 5 years?  

Achieving cost-efficiency coals is critical. Choosing the right materials affect both total costs and operating/maintenance costs of plants. Bio-based chemicals producers, process technology developers, process engineering companies, EPC companies, fabricators and all other industry participants, please connect with our technical support service.