Corrosion Inhibition by Some Cationic Surfactants in Oil Fields

Two cationic surfactants, namely, tetradecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (TDBAC) and tributyl tetradecyl phosphonium chloride (TTPC) were supplied from the local market and characterized. The adsorption tendency of the two surfactants was estimated from the values of the depression of surface tension of the water at the critical micelle concentration. The studied surfactants were evaluated as antimicrobial agents against sulfate-reducing bacteria. These cationic surfactants showed good antimicrobial activities against the tested microorganisms. It was also found that these compounds are good corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel in 0.5 M HCl at doses of 25-600 ppm.