Effect of flow velocity on carbon dioxide corrosion behavior in oil and gas environments

The effect of flow velocity on the corrosion rate of carbon steels and stainless steels in wet carbon dioxide (CO2) environments was investigated using a flow loop tester. The velocity-dependent corrosion rate of carbon steels and low-alloy steels without corrosion films obeyed a 0.83th power law. This almost corresponded to Berger and Hau's equations and the Chilton-Colburn analogy. The corrosion rate of stainless steels in a passive state or with a stable film was independent of flow velocity. However. the corrosion rate obeyed > 1.0th power law above the critical velocity when the corrosion,film of stainless steels, such as 13% Cr steel and modified 13% Cr steels, was broken mechanically.