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Autoclave design for high pressure-high temperature corrosion studies

B.A. Lasebikan (School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK)
A.R. Akisanya (School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK)
W.F. Deans (School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK)

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology

ISSN: 1726-0531

Publication date: 5 October 2015

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop an autoclave that can be used to assess corrosion behaviour of suitable material in high-pressure–high-temperature (HPHT) environments. Many new discoveries of oil and gas field are in HPHT environments. The development of such fields requires appropriate selection of materials that are able to withstand not just the service loads but also corrosive production fluids in the HPHT environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The exposure of material samples to elevated pressure and temperature is usually done using an autoclave. The suitability of an existing autoclave for HPHT corrosion studies is provided together with suggestions on necessary design modifications. An alternative design of the autoclave is proposed based on functionality requirements and life cycle cost assessment.

Findings

It is concluded that the existing autoclave was unsuitable for HPHT corrosion tests, and modifications were very expensive to implement and/or not foolproof. A new autoclave was designed, manufactured, tested and successfully used to study the effect of aqueous solution on the corrosion of a pipe subject to a combination of axial tension, internal pressure and elevated temperature.

Research limitations/implications

The maximum design pressure of 15 MPa is more than sufficient for high-pressure corrosion studies in aqueous solution where partial pressure of the dissolved gas is one of the main controlling parameters. However, the design pressure is only suitable for corrosion studies in a seawater environment of up to 1,500 m water depth.

Originality/value

A new design of autoclave together with all the necessary piping, assembly and control system is proposed for HPHT corrosion studies. The autoclave can be used as standalone or integrated with a mechanical testing machine and thus enables corrosion studies under a wide range of loading.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the contribution of Steve Cawley of John Cardwell Limited and Jim Herrmann of Cortest Inc. for the manufacture of the autoclave and for the permission to use the vessel design schematic drawings (Figures 8 and 9) in the paper; these figures are not to be used for production without the expressed written permission of Cortest Inc. The assistance of the technical staff of the School of Engineering Central Workshop is much appreciated.

Citation

Lasebikan, B., Akisanya, A. and Deans, W. (2015), "Autoclave design for high pressure-high temperature corrosion studies", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. 13 No. 4, pp. 539-555. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-08-2013-0057

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Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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