Effect of gradient magnetic field on corrosion of carbon steel pipes in seawater pumped storage power plants

Seawater pumped storage power plants are one of the most important means of maintaining a stable operation of power systems in coastal areas. However, the development of seawater pumped storage power plants has been constrained by the extreme corrosiveness of seawater. The typical material of transmission pipes in these power plants is carbon steel due to its corrosion resistance and low cost. A magnetic field has an impact on corrosion. In this paper, the corrosion affection of carbon steel pipes in seawater under a magnetic field is investigated. The corrosion current and corrosion potential on the surface of carbon steel pipes under different magnetic fields are analyzed and compared through finite element model and electrochemical experiment. The results of the two methods are in excellent accordance, demonstrating that the direction and gradient of the magnetic field around carbon steel significantly impact corrosion behavior. The magnetic field perpendicular to the reaction surface of carbon steel promotes corrosion, and the influence of the magnetic field on corrosion is more significant with the increase of the magnetic field gradient.

Automated summary

This paper investigates the corrosion behavior of carbon steel pipes in seawater under a magnetic field. The results from finite element model and electrochemical experiment analysis demonstrate that the direction and gradient of the magnetic field significantly impact corrosion behavior of carbon steel.