Corrosion Cracking and Failure of Gas Pipelines in Hydrogen Sulfide Environments

The effect of the hydrogen sulfide environment on steels under gas pipeline operating conditions was studied. Exposure to H2S leads to both increased hydrogen sulfide corrosion and the formation of blisters on the steel, followed by hydrogen-induced cracking due to hydrogen diffusion into the metal structure. The phase composition and properties of hydrogen sulfide corrosion products were examined, and the particle sizes of iron sulfide formed under different conditions were evaluated. The influence of microstructural features of carbon and low-alloy steels on their corrosion and hydrogenation in H2S-containing environments was discussed. The ability of corrosion inhibitors to provide protection against hydrogen sulfide corrosion and cracking was investigated.