As a materials engineer and group leader in Becht’s CMA division, Frank Sapienza has revealed a worrying new corrosion mechanism in oil and gas pipelines. This discovery, the result of extensive research at a coking plant, highlights the need to rethink inspection and maintenance strategies in the industry.
The identified corrosion mechanism is characterized by the action of low molecular weight organic acids that attack the metal surface in a localized manner, generating pitting and weakening the structure of the pipes. This form of corrosion is particularly difficult to detect using traditional inspections, which makes it a latent threat to the safety and efficiency of operations.
"We have identified that these organic acids, products of the degradation of more complex compounds, attack the metal surface in a very specific way, creating local conditions that accelerate the corrosive process," explains Sapienza. "This discovery underlines the importance of carrying out detailed chemical analyses and of having corrosion experts to identify and mitigate these risks."
To mitigate the risks associated with this new type of corrosion, Becht recommends the following measures:
This discovery underscores the importance of having a thorough understanding of corrosion mechanisms and implementing appropriate inspection and maintenance programs to ensure the integrity of facilities.
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