ONLINE CORROSION MONITORING IN GEOTHERMAL STEAM PIPELINES

A Fluid Flow Test Rig has been designed and commissioned to simulate c orrosion occurring in geothermal steam pipelines. The test rig was use d to evaluate the effectiveness of a variety of corrosion monitoring t echniques for application to full-scale pipelines. Although unsuccessf ul, the thin layer activation method, which is based on the conversion of Fe to Co-56 upon irradiation with high-energy protons, showed pote ntial for application to geothermal systems. Corrosion rates measured in the test facility were similar to those estimated for the Ohaaki (N ew Zealand) steam pipelines after three years of service. (C) 1998 CNR . Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.