CO2 corrosion in the region between the static and turbulent flow regimes

Abstract

This paper discusses the influence of the flow of a fluid from the static regime to the turbulent in CO2 corrosion experienced by low carbon steel. A more comprehensive approach to CO2 corrosion implies taking the free flowing velocity and shear stress of the fluid and the surface roughness of the material into consideration. Low carbon steel samples in two different superficial finish conditions were used as the rotating cylinder electrode. The corrosion rate were determined by linear polarization at 25 °C in a 0.5 mol/L NaHCO3 solution purged with CO2 at 1 atm pressure in pH 7.5. The effect of superficial finish on CO2 corrosion in flow conditions was studied. The results obtained showed that the corrosion rate increases with flow velocity and is influenced by surface roughness.