A multiphysics approach to modelling the erosion–enhanced corrosion of low–alloy carbon steel in chloride containing environments

The effects of erosion-enhanced corrosion of low-alloys carbon steel have been studied experimentally by measuring polarization curves in an impinging jet configuration and a multiphysics algorithm has been develop to describe the erosion-corrosion interactions. The aims of the research are to improve the longevity of transporation processes for Copper mining in Chiles. In this study an electrode of API 5L X65 steel was exposed to electrolyte jet of different chloride content (0.005, 0.05 or 0.5 M NaCa) containing silica particles (250-350 µm). The simulated polarization curves were obtained by adopting a coupled electrochemical-transport-reaction model. The effect of erosion on the reactions was found to be well described as a proportionality factor of the electrochemical reaction’ kinetics determined for the cases with, and without, the erodent. It is thought that the presence of chloride contributes mostly through increased conductivity of the electrolyte.