The Corrosion Behavior of Carbon Steel in Sulfide Aqueous Media at 30°C

Abstract

In this paper, we studied the effect of sulfide ions on the corrosion behavior of carbon steel to simulate the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste. In geological storage conditions, sulfidogenic environment was sustained by sulfate-reducing bacteria. Corrosion tests were conducted in systems in a controlled atmosphere of 5% H-2/N-2. Batch experiments were conducted at 30A degrees C for 1 month with steel coupons immersed in Na2S solutions. The structural characterization of the corrosion products was investigated by scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, confocal micro-Raman spectrometry, and x-ray diffraction. In the absence of sulfide ion, a magnetite (Fe3O4) corrosion product layer was formed on steel surface while in the presence of sulfide ions we observed the formation of a poorly crystallized irons sulfide at low-sulfide concentration (1 mg/L) and a solid adherent pyrrhotite layer at higher sulfide concentration (5-15 mg/L). The strong drop in steel corrosion rate with sulfide concentration was revealed and related to the formation of well-crystallized pyrrhotite.