Corrosion inhibition of N80 steel in 10% HCl + 8% HBF₄ solution

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the corrosion and corrosion inhibition of N80 in 10 per cent HCl + 8 per cent fluoroboric acid (HBF₄) solution for acidizing operation.

Design/methodology/approach

The corrosion rate, kinetic parameters (Ea, A) and thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔS) of N80 steel in fresh acid and spent acid, 10 per cent HCl + 8 per cent HBF₄, 10 per cent HCl and 8 per cent HBF₄ solutions were calculated through immersion tests. The corrosion and inhibition properties were studied through X-ray diffraction and electrochemical measurements. The corrosion morphology of the corrosion product was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Findings

The results demonstrated that the spent acid was the main cause of acidification corrosion, and the HBF₄ would cause serious corrosion to N80 steel. The results showed that the N80 steel was more seriously corroded in the spent acid than in fresh acid, and the hydrolysis of HBF₄ accelerates the dissolution process of N80 steel anode to control the corrosion reaction. The results showed that the acidification will definitely cause serious corrosion to the oil tube; therefore, necessary anti-corrosion measures must be taken in the acidification process.

Originality/value

The results showed that acidizing the formation with 10 per cent HCl + 8 per cent HBF₄ will definitely cause serious corrosion to the oil tube, especially when the spent acid flows back. Therefore, necessary anti-corrosion measures must be taken in the acidification process, especially in the spent acid flowback stage.

Citation

Du, J., He, Y., Liu, P., Liu, Y., Meng, X. and Zhao, L. (2019), "Corrosion inhibition of N80 steel in 10% HCl + 8% HBF₄ solution", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 66 No. 1, pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1108/ACMM-01-2018-1883