Laboratory Testing of Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors

Abstract For control of top of line corrosion (TLC) in multiphase wet gas lines, the best technique currently available on the market is the TLCC-PIG (or spray pig). Its main disadvantages are firstly the necessity of monthly treatment, which may not be compatible with the production requirements, and secondly relatively low efficiency, which is around 70-75 %, if the treatment is monthly. The author’s company(1) decided to work with a corrosion inhibitor manufacturer(2) in order to develop volatile corrosion inhibitors, with the development project starting in 2004. After a series of preliminary tests in an independent laboratory, one promising molecule was selected for loop testing, which were finalised in 2007. The volatile product is mixed with a bottom line corrosion inhibitor, tested separately, in order to have a single injection point for bottom line and top of line corrosion inhibitors. The formulated product was field tested in 2008 and early 2009. This paper summarises the preliminary results and corrosion loop test results. The results of field testing will be presented separately.