Corrosion behaviour of 110SS steel in hydrochloric acid and blended acid system at 200°C

Abstract

The influence of organic acids (formic acid, acetic acid) on the corrosion behaviour of 110SS steel, a hydrogen sulphide corrosion resistant alloy steel, in hydrochloric (HCl) acid environments was studied. The corrosion rates of 110SS steels in HCl acid and blended acid were measured using the high-temperature and high-pressure corrosion tester. Scanning electron microscopy was utilised to observe the morphology of corrosion products on steel samples corroded by different acid systems, and the energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer was used to analyse the elemental composition of the corrosion products. The corrosion morphology was observed using a 3D laser scanner. The results indicated that the corrosion rate of 110SS steel in HCl acid at 200 °C was an exponential function of HCl concentration. Reducing the HCl concentration significantly decreased the corrosion rate of 110SS steel. Organic acids and corrosion inhibitors synergistically reduced the corrosion of 110SS steel in HCl acid. Adding 3 wt.% organic acid to the 15 wt.% HCl acid system further reduced the corrosion rate, with a more pronounced effect observed in the HCl–formic acid system compared to the HCl–acetic acid system. Organic acids chemically adsorbed onto the steel surface and decomposed to produce CO, which hindered the attack of hydrogen ions on the metal. The added corrosion inhibitor and intensifier Sb2O3 resulted in the formation of a compact adsorption film on the steel surface, further inhibiting corrosion. The optimal mass ratio of HCl acid to organic acid was found to be 15% to 3%.