Naphthenic acid corrosion of API 5L X70 steel in aqueous/oil environment using electrochemical surface-resolved and analytical techniques

Abstract

Naphthenic acid corrosion of steel is studied in crude oil/aqueous phase system at ambient temperature, using a biphasic stagnant liquid without emulsification, by means of electrochemical measurements and surface analysis. The in-situ electrochemical impedance is assigned to the processes occurring at the aqueous phase. Corrosion occurred only in the region of the aqueous phase, as crater-shaped pits that eventually coalesced, generating a nearly uniform attack in the vicinity of the oil phase. The impedance values, normalized to the aqueous region only, reveal corrosion rate increasing with the ratio of crude oil/water. Despite the localized character of the anodic oxidation, the iron naphthenate corrosion products became partitioned between the two phases. Surface-resolved electrochemical techniques in aqueous solution revealed enhanced activity of the regions pre-exposed to oil.