Flow Accelerated Corrosion of Carbon Steel with Droplet Impingement Using a Modified Rotating Cylinder Electrode Experiment

In power plant cooling systems, water droplets and condensate films form due to heat transfer through cooling tube walls. Condensate films are known to cause flow accelerated corrosion on carbon steels used in air-cooled condensers. Corrosion is further accelerated by droplets suspended in the accelerating steam that impinge on walls, T-joints, or valves, further damaging protective oxide layers on pipe walls. Droplet impingement and flow accelerated corrosion were studied using a modified rotating cylinder electrode system coupled with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Surface liquid films caused by droplet impingement were found to correlate directly with flow accelerated corrosion caused by condensate films. In the absence of a stable liquid film, droplet impingement increased corrosion rates and resulted in pit formation. Select corrosion inhibitors were found to be ineffective under flow accelerated corrosion or droplet impingement.