Modified sucrose as a green corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel: Experimental study

Abstract

© 2019, International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference. All rights received. Corrosion represents a major problem in the flow assurance for the oil and gas industry. Carbon steel has been extensively used in oil and gas industry due to its cost-effectiveness, availability, strength, high durability and ductility. However, one of the biggest disadvantages of steel is highly susceptible to corrosion in the aggressive environments. Most of corrosion inhibitors are toxic, non-biodegradable and non-eco-friendly in nature, thus development of inhibitors based on natural resources are needed. In this study we used sucrose as a sustainable and biodegradable resource to synthesis a new corrosion inhibitor. Modified sucrose (MS) is experimentally evaluated as a promising green corrosion inhibitor (CIs). The weight loss and SEM studies showed that the MS by forming a protective film on the carbon steel surface is able to suppress corrosion rate in severe corrosive environment (HCl 2 M). The amphiphilic nature of MS molecules creates an affinity for adsorption at interfaces such as metal/metal oxide–water interface. The adsorption of MS on carbon steel creates a barrier that can suppress corrosion process. Moreover, MS showed no cloud point up to 100 °C as 0.5 wt. % solution in deionized water, all up to the boiling point of water. The findings of this research can provide new opportunities to develop biodegradable materials as CIs for flow assurance in the oil and gas pipelines.