Influence of sour oil on calcareous deposit nucleation

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of sour crude oil contaminant on the calcareous scale deposition under cathodic protection of carbon steel in artificial seawater. Design/methodology/approach Electrochemical and surface characterizations are carried out using chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy techniques. Findings Results showed that sour oil limited the deposit nucleation regarding its volume concentrations. The inhibition mechanism was examined to be simultaneous acts of pH reduction and mackinawite formation beside minor physical adsorption of oil molecules on steel electrode. Originality/value There is no paper concerning the proposed subject, and the idea of this work is fully novel which is of great significance because of the consequences of disastrous oil spill phenomena on the integrity of exposed offshore facilities in terms of optimum protection against probable corrosion mechanisms.