Abstract
A non-toxic corrosion inhibitor based on organic compounds was developed to replace a heavy metal toxic inhibitor in MEA plants. The tasks involved in the development program are presented in this paper. A search for non-toxic organic chemicals with potential inhibitive properties was performed first followed by the preliminary screening tests. The best three chemicals were then tested in stirred autoclave at several concentrations. Slow strain rate runs were also performed to test the susceptibility of welded as well as non-welded carbon steel specimens to stress corrosion cracking. The single best performing chemical was then tested under turbulent and laminar flow conditions in a flow loop. High alloys materials typically found in amine plants were also tested in an autoclave setting to determine if they were compatible with the inhibitor. The single best performing inhibitor was then finally tested in a refinery gas plant for 18 months. The corrosion rates data, analytical results and physical inspection of the field equipment showed that the non-toxic corrosion inhibitor was very effective in reducing corrosion. Based on the results of the laboratory and field testing program, it was decided to replace the previous toxic corrosion inhibitor by the newly developed non-toxic corrosion inhibitor.
