Measuring naphthenic acid corrosion potential with the Fe powder test

Abstract

Results are presented of experiments performed using a new method to measure the naphthenic acid corrosion potential. The method consists of adding pure iron powder into a small autoclave containing the crude or oil sample. The test is then performed at a given temperature for one hour, after which the oil sample is filtered and the remaining liquid is sent for iron content determination (ppm). The tests are run at 7 different temperature levels, 3 more are run as repeated tests. A best-fitted curve is drawn through these 10 experimental points and the maximum point is thus determined. This becomes the main outcome of the test and it is used to give a measure of the naphthenic acid corrosion potential. The same general trends as observed in the past using the neutralization number or TAN (Total Acid Number) is obtained. However, this new test seems capable of detecting anomalous cases where oil samples having larger values of TAN exhibit less corrosivity than others having much lower values of TAN or where they show completely different corrosivity despite having similar or the same TAN.