Low-temperature Pack Aluminization Process on Pipeline Steel to Inhibit Asphaltene Deposition

Asphaltene deposition in petroleum refineries is known to be problematic as it reduces efficiency and may lead to structural failure or production downtime. Though several successful approaches have been utilized to limit deposition through the addition of dispersants and inhibitors to petroleum, these methods require constant intervention and are often expensive. In this study, we demonstrate an innovative technique to engineer the surface chemistry of pipeline alloy steels to inhibit asphaltene deposition. Pack aluminization, a standard industrial-scale chemical vapor deposition process, is employed at a low temperature of 600 oC to aluminize API 5L X65 high strength pipe steel substrates. The results showed deposit free steel surfaces after high-pressure and high-temperature fouling experiments. The improvement is attributed to the formation of an aluminide intermetallic phase of Fe2Al5, which changes the native oxide chemistry to favor alumina over hematite. The continuous passivating oxide scale, act...