Electrochemical methods in corrosion on petroleum industry: laboratory andfield results

This paper presents results concerning the use of a multitask cell coupled with a semi-industrial autoclave. A very good correlation was found between electrochemical measurements performed with the multitask cell and the thr ee-electrode probe introduced in one of the autoclave's flanges. Using the permeation technique, a short time response system was obtained with the mu ltitask cell. The observed performance of this system was consistent with t he external one attached at the flange. It was observed that neither H2S no r cyanide alone increase the corrosion process in the alkaline wet H2S envi ronment. The coupled action of these two contaminants is necessary to incre ase the hydrogen permeation through the steel wall of the equipment. As a c onsequence of this work, the multitask cell was successfully transferred to a PETROBRAS fluid catalytic cracking light end recovery unit. (C) 2001 Els evier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.