Erosion–corrosion mitigation by corrosion inhibitors—An assessment of mechanisms

A programme of experimental tests has been conducted to assess the potential for using corrosion inhibitors in liquid–solid flows, where erosion and corrosion occurs, to control material degradation. Tests were conducted using the submerged impinging jet (SIJ). Both mass loss and in situ electrochemical corrosion tests were conducted on carbon steel. Two commercial inhibitors showed a peak-value phenomenon for erosion–corrosion mitigation; for inhibitor A, the optimum concentration is 50 ppm and for inhibitor B, it is 100 ppm. Erosion and corrosion components were characterized as a proportion of the total material loss. The mechanisms by which chemical inhibitors reduce material loss are discussed.