Corrosive effects of H2S and NH3 on natural gas piping systems manufactured of carbon steel

The main difference of biomethane in comparison to natural gas is its higher concentration of compounds conducive to corrosion and a higher risk of corrosion to steel piping. During the last decade, high-volume injection of biomethane into a transmission network through a steel piping for natural gas has become more actual in the EU, meaning the focus on related problems is fairly recent. In general, the approach to the biomethane injection has been limited to an assumption that when mixed with natural gas, the amount of corrosion inducing compounds stays below the risk level. The objective of the current article is to systematise prior scientific research regarding the corrosive effects of H2S and NH3 on natural gas piping systems manufactured of carbon steel. A simplified methodology will be developed for the verification of information and based on that, the corrosion-sensitivity to H2S and NH3 found in biomethane of the main steel brand used in Estonian gas piping will be checked. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.