Effect of H2S on CO2 Corrosion of Mild Steel in High-Temperature Supercritical CO2 Conditions

Abstract

The effect of H2S on the aqueous corrosion behavior of mild steel was evaluated at high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) conditions at a partial pressure of CO2 of 12 MPa and a temperature of 160°C. The corrosion rate of steel samples was determined by electrochemical and weight loss measurements. The surface and cross-sectional morphology and the composition of the corrosion product layers were analyzed by using surface analytical techniques (scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction). Results showed that the corrosion rate decreased with time and no significant difference was observed in the presence of 1,000 ppm and 2,000 ppm of H2S at HPHT CO2 conditions. Surface and cross-sectional analyses revealed that the corrosion process was governed by the formation of FeCO3 regardless of the presence of H2S. Furthermore, the corrosion behavior of mild steel in these conditions did not depend significantly on flow velocity.