The Atlas cell test (NACE TM0174) and the autoclave test (NACE TM0185) are laboratory tests that are regularly used to select internal linings for vessels and tanks used in processing oil and gas production fluids. The results from the two tests are often quite different and in some notable instances the correlation between Atlas cell test results and field performance is poor. This paper documents our investigation of the various operational details of the Atlas cell test and their influence on the nature of the cold wall effect created in the Atlas cell. A number of commonly used tank linings were evaluated under Atlas cell conditions. The results are used to offer an explanation regarding some of the contradictory behaviour of coatings in Atlas testing, autoclave testing, and field performance.

Subject
Test methods, Coating performance, Water, Coatings, Autoclaves, Impedance, Glass flake coatings, Epoxy coatings, Fluids, Steel, Jackets, Blistering, Surface temperature
Keywords:
Atlas cell test, Autoclave test, tank linings, coating selection, laboratory testing, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, cold wall effect
© 2008 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
2008
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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