Corrosion simulation via coupling computational fluid dynamics and NORSOK CO2 corrosion rate prediction model for an outlet header piping of an air-cooled heat exchanger

Abstract

In this study CO2 corrosion of outlet header pipe of an air-cooled heat exchanger in a natural gas dehydration unit of a gas refinery was investigated by simulation via coupling computational fluid dynamics and NORSOK M-506 CO2 corrosion prediction model. The Euler-Euler approach incorporated with k–ε model for the fluid turbulence was employed to simulate gas-liquid two-phase flow. The simulation results were utilized as the inputs of NORSOK CO2 corrosion prediction model to calculate CO2 corrosion rate. Fluid streamlines, velocity, viscosity, density and temperature profiles and also the distribution of gas and liquid phases through the investigated outlet header pipe were calculated and a three-dimensional corrosion rate map was presented. The results showed that there is a good agreement between the data obtained by corrosion simulation and field observation. It was found here that coupling computational fluid dynamics and CO2 corrosion prediction models can successfully predict regional corrosion rates and determine locations susceptible to CO2 corrosion.