Transcripción del resumen del autor This paper discusses the principle and proof of concept of a novel corrosion-management tool based on maintaining optimum corrosion-inhibitor dose in an inhibited environment. Film-forming corrosion inhibitors typically contain active ionic surfactant molecules, which adsorb on surfaces and form a protective barrier against corrosion. Upon saturation of surfaces by the inhibitor, the molecules are found in the aqueous phase as micelles or in the oil phase as reverse micelles. The proposed technique is based on the hypothesis that the presence of these micelles in the water phase could be used to indicate the total surface coverage and, therefore, the optimum dose. The technique has been applied in the laboratory simulating an actual inhibited multiphase production system. Fluorescent markers, which are extremely sensitive to micelle presence, have been developed and used during the laboratory testing. Results were compared with those from standard laboratory techniques, including interfacial tension (IFT) and particle-size analyses (diffraction), in order to determine the efficacy for micelle detection. Corrosion bubble tests were also used to determine any link to inhibitor efficiency. IFT results showed complex events occurring with increasing inhibitor concentration. The IFT vs. inhibitor concentration curve was nonclassical, probably because of the multicomponent nature of inhibitor formulations, but suggested micelle formation at approximately 150 ppm. Fluorescence analysis suggested that micelles formed starting at a 150-ppm dose. Particle-size analysis was consistent with micelle presence beyond this concentration. Separate experiments comparing fluorescence with corrosion rates demonstrated an apparent nonlinear variance with inhibitor concentration, supporting the hypothesis. The analytical comparisons supported the underlying principles of this micelle-detection technology. Development of a portable device is under way and will provide an important new tool for proactive corrosion management in the oil field as well as a useful laboratory qualification method.

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