In testing corrosion inhibitors for use in refined petroleum products, very careful consideration must be given to the effect of the environmental conditions on the performance of the inhibitors. Only by a careful study of the variables encountered in any specific corrosion problem can an intelligent selection of the appropriate inhibitor be made. Variables studied in this work include the degree of agitation, the concentration of dissolved solids in the water phase, the pH, the temperature, oxygen content, and the nature of the hydrocarbon phase. A brief discussion of testing procedures also is included.
Results for a commercial automotive gasoline, aviation gasoline, jet fuel and a No. 2 fuel oil are discussed. It is shown that some inhibitors which are effective with sea water under dynamic conditions may be completely ineffective with sea water under static conditions. Some inhibitors which are very effective at room temperature may be required at double the concentration at 100 F and may be ineffective at 140 F at five times the room temperature concentration. The concentration of inhibitor required to protect under any specified set of environmental conditions may vary considerably with different refined products. This also may be true for different supplies of products of the same type (e.g., different gasolines). 5.8.1
