In this work, a comprehensive mechanistic model for CO2 corrosion is investigated in detail to explore the underlying electrochemical behavior. Simulated polarization curves are generated under different environmental and hydrodynamic conditions by varying the carbon dioxide (CO2) partial pressure, and the velocity of the bulk flow. The electrochemical response is examined using these curves and compared with output corrosion data to perform in-depth analysis as to underlying causes of the model behavior. Regions of charge-transfer control and mass-transport control are clearly identified and discussed in relation to the chemical and electrochemical reactions occurring in the system. Hence, the degree of sensitivity of the corrosion rate to changing conditions is analyzed with respect to these controlling mechanisms. Under full mass-transport control, the corrosion rate increased significantly with increasing pressure and velocity, however under charge-transfer control the corrosion rate was independent of either variable, demonstrating some potentially counter-intuitive relationships between changes in operating environment and corrosion rate response.

Subject
Mechanistic models, Ions, Corrosion rate, Cathodic potential, Flow velocity, Electrochemical reactions, Anode surfaces, Partial pressures, Polarization curves, Corrosion modeling, Carbon dioxide, Polarization, Corrosion potential
Keywords:
Carbon dioxide, Corrosion rate, Corrosion products, Electrochemical corrosion, Simulation and modeling
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2025
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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