An Erosion-Corrosion Investigation of Coated Steel for Applications in the Oil and Gas Field, Based on Bipolar Electrochemistry

Claudio Mele,Francesca Lionetto,Benedetto Bozzini

doi:10.3390/coatings10020092

Claudio Mele, Francesca Lionetto + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings10020092

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Journal: Coatings	Publication Date: Jan 21, 2020
Citations: 13	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Salento, Politecnico di Milano

Abstract

In this research, a simple experimental apparatus based on a bipolar electrode (BPE) configuration was set up, in order to tackle erosion-corrosion problems of materials of interest in the oil and gas field. As a case study, the resistance to erosion and corrosion of carbon steel samples coated by Electroless Nickel Plating and by thermo-sprayed coating with the high velocity oxy fuel (HVOF) process was investigated. The main objective was to demonstrate if this simple, contactless technique could be applied to effectively discriminate the erosion-corrosion behavior of different materials in a vast range of experimental conditions. In fact, by means of polarization curves, visual inspection and morphological analysis by scanning electron microscope (SEM), the effects due to erosion-corrosion by solid particles, by fluid and those due to simple erosion were evaluated.

Highlights

The oil and gas production field presents aggressive conditions in terms of erosion and corrosion.Careful attention must be given to the material selection at every stage of the design, construction and operation of piping systems and their accessories, such as bends, elbows, tees and valves [1,2,3,4,5]
In order to place these results in context, other types of tests were performed for selected materials: erosion-corrosion caused by the impingement of the stirred aqueous solution and mere erosion with dry particles
The morphology of the two coated systems is reported in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs of Figure 2, where secondary electron (SE) and backscattered electrode (BSE)

Summary

Introduction

The oil and gas production field presents aggressive conditions in terms of erosion and corrosion.Careful attention must be given to the material selection at every stage of the design, construction and operation of piping systems and their accessories, such as bends, elbows, tees and valves [1,2,3,4,5]. The oil and gas production field presents aggressive conditions in terms of erosion and corrosion. It is mandatory that the materials of such components have high erosion and corrosion resistance combined with high mechanical strength. The erosion-corrosion process depends on the corrosive fluid, on the nature and chemical composition of metal and alloy and on the surface condition. The protective film on the metal surface could be swept away by the rapid movement of the processing fluid, possibly containing solid particulate. Several preventive methods can be employed: appropriate design of shape or geometry to prevent turbulence, alteration of environment as settling and filtration to remove solid particles or reduction of temperature, use of highly corrosion-resistant materials, rarely cathodic protection and use of appropriate coatings [1,2,3,6]

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