Evaluation of a Novel Top-of-the-Line Corrosion (TLC) Mitigation Method in a Large-Scale Flow Loop

Innovative top-of-the-line corrosion (TLC) inhibition techniques are being investigated as an alternative to batch treatment. A novel idea consists of injecting the corrosion inhibitor within a foam matrix. Previously, a “proof of concept” validation of the novel TLC mitigation method was successfully conducted in a small-scale laboratory setup. The findings in this paper present the next step in the study before field trial: validation of the method and characterization of the foam properties in realistic, large-scale flowing systems. The foam containing the inhibitor was injected into the flow loop, forming a dense plug, which was pushed forward by the gas. The foam-generation method carried considerable importance for foam stability, as well as inhibition persistency. Foam created under stagnant conditions retarded the corrosion rate up to 97%, however the inhibition effect was not persistent. When the foam containing 20,000 ppmv of corrosion inhibitor, TOFA/DETA imidazoline, was created in flowing conditions, the corrosion inhibition efficiency was calculated to be higher than 90%, and the inhibition effect lasted up to 50 h. The novel TLC mitigation method showed promising results in a large-scale flow loop, and applications in oil and gas field environments should be considered.