Erosion-Corrosion Behavior of a Variety of API X-Series Transportation Pipeline Steels for Qatar Oil and Gas Industry

Corrosion is a material degradation process which occurs due to chemical or electrochemical action, while erosion is a mechanical wear process due to both fluid flow and particulate mater abrasion. The combined effect of erosion and corrosion, known as synergism effect, is significantly higher than the sum of the individual contributions acting separately. In oil and gas transportation pipelines erosion– corrosion synergism is a significant problem. Synergism is not well quantified or understood due to the complexities of the phenomena and the lack of detailed knowledge of the separate kinetics of pure erosion and pure corrosion. The need to understand the mechanisms by which erosion-corrosion takes place is necessary in developing strategies for combating such failure. In the present proposal, the applicants intend to assess the erosion-corrosion effects on API X80, X100 and X120 under different environmental conditions. The proposed project includes a comprehensive and a systematic investigation on the individual contributions of corrosion and erosion acting separately and synergistic effect. The interaction between corrosion and erosion processes in flow environments will be quantified. This project meets the objectives of QNRF and it is expected to provide significant contribution in Qatar, including maximizing the cost-effectiveness of industrial investment in Qatar and building a firm foundation for a leading research in materials.