Enviado por davaro el Mié, 03/11/2020 - 04:20
Sour Corrosion: Hydrogen Sulfide
Hydrogen sulfide is a flammable and poisonous gas. It occurs naturally in some groundwater. It is formed from decomposing underground deposits of organic matter such as decaying plant material. It is found in deep or shallow wells and also can enter surface water through springs, although it quickly escapes to the atmosphere. Hydrogen sulfide often is present in wells drilled in shale or sandstone, or near coal or peat deposits or oil fields. Hydrogen sulfide gas produces an offensive “rotten egg” or “sulfur water” odor and taste in water. In some cases, the odor may be noticeable only when the water is initially turned on or when hot water is run.
Heat forces the gas into the air, which may cause the odor to be especially offensive in a shower. Occasionally, a hot water heater is a source of hydrogen sulfide odor. The magnesium corrosion control rod present in many hot water heaters can chemically reduce naturally occurring sulfates to hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) occurs in approximately 40% of all wells. Wells with large amounts of H2S are usually labeled sour; however, wells with only 10 ppm or above can also be labeled sour. Partial pressures above 0.05 psi H2S are considered corrosive. The amount of H2S appears to increase as the well ages. H2S combines with water to form sulfuric acid (H2SO4), a strongly corrosive acid. Corrosion due to H2SO4 is often referred to as sour corrosion. Because hydrogen sulfide combines easily with water, damage to stock tanks below water levels can be severe.
Water with hydrogen sulfide alone does not cause disease. However, hydrogen sulfide forms a weak acid when dissolved in water. Therefore, it is a source of hydrogen ions and is corrosive. It can act as a catalyst in the absorption of atomic hydrogen in steel, promoting sulfide stress cracking (SSC) in high-strength steels. Polysulfides and sulfanes (free acid forms of polysulfides) can form when hydrogen sulfide reacts with elemental sulfur. The corrosion products are iron sulfides and hydrogen. Iron sulfide forms a scale at low temperatures and can act as a barrier to slow corrosion.
The absence of chloride salts strongly promotes this condition and the absence of oxygen is absolutely essential. At higher temperatures the scale is cathodic in relation to the casing and galvanic corrosion starts. The chloride forms a layer of iron chloride, which is acidic and prevents the formation of an FeS layer directly on the corroding steel, enabling the anodic reaction to continue. Hydrogen produced in the reaction may lead to hydrogen embrittlement. A nuisance associated with hydrogen sulfide includes its corrosiveness to metals such as iron, steel, copper, and brass. It can tarnish silverware and discolor copper and brass utensils.
