Effect of H₂S concentration on the corrosion behavior of pipeline steel under the coexistence of H₂S and CO₂

Abstract

The effect of H₂S concentration on H₂S/CO₂ corrosion of API-X60 steel was studied by scanning electron microscopy, a weight-loss method, potentiodynamic polarization tests, and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique. It is found that the corrosion process of the steel in an environment where H₂S and CO₂ coexist at different H₂S concentrations is related to the morphological structure and stability of the corrosion product film. With the addition of a small amount of H₂S, the size of the anode reaction region is decreased due to constant adsorption and separation of more FeS sediment or more FeHS⁺ ions on the surface of the steel. Meanwhile, the double-layer capacitance is diminished with increasing anion adsorption capacity. Therefore, the corrosion process is inhibited. The general corrosion rate of the steel rapidly decreases after the addition of a small amount of H₂S under the coexistence of H₂S and CO₂. With a further increase in H₂S concentration, certain parts of the corrosion product film become loose and even fall off. Thus, the protection provided by the corrosion product film worsens, and the corrosion rate tends to increase.

Keywords

pipeline steel / hydrogen sulfide / carbon dioxide / corrosion / corrosion rate / electrochemical properties

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