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.