The effect of H₂S and NaCl concentration on hydrogen permeation in high strength low alloy carbon steel C110

Abstract

The sulphide stress cracking of high strength low alloy (HSLA) carbon steel C110 is related to the hydrogen absorption process. The objective of this research is to evaluate the effect of adsorbed H 2 S and Cl − on hydrogen permeation in C110, by studying the responses of hydrogen permeation current and characteristic inductance under environment with different H 2 S activities and NaCl concentrations using electrochemical methods, including hydrogen permeation method and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The hydrogen permeation current measured in Devanathan-Stachurski cell suggests that the enhance effect of the adsorbed H 2 S on the hydrogen absorption follows an adsorption isotherm behaviour as a function of H 2 S activity in solution. The inductive response of EIS under different H 2 S activities shows consistency with hydrogen permeation results. The EIS results also indicate that the coverage of H 2 S was suppressed by Cl − . A good correlation about the effect of adsorbed Cl − is found between inductive response and hydrogen permeation current.

Emerging Behaviour of Alloy Steel Microstructure in Hydrogen Sulphide Environment - A Review

“…It is a colourless and flammable with an odour that reflects that of rotten egg. In recent decades, high strength and low strength alloy such as carbon steel are mostly deployed into the exploration of oil and gas as well as its transportation to various point of processing and consumption due to their excellent mechanical properties [51]. However, a major issue with the use of carbon steel is in the stress cracking which is a consequence of the sulphide environment.…”