Numerical investigation of the mechano-electro-chemical effect of X100 buried pipelines with pre-existing corrosion defects

Ghadeer Mubarak; Ibrahim Gadala; Imad Barsoum; Akram AlFantazi

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22440

Numerical investigation of the mechano-electro-chemical effect of X100 buried pipelines with pre-existing corrosion defects

Heliyon. 2023 Nov 20;9(12):e22440. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22440. eCollection 2023 Dec.

Authors

Ghadeer Mubarak¹, Ibrahim Gadala², Imad Barsoum^{3

4}, Akram AlFantazi¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 12788, United Arab Emirates.
² Center for Applied Research, NOVA Chemicals Corporation, 2928 16 St NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7K7, Canada.
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 12788, United Arab Emirates.
⁴ Advanced Digital & Additive Manufacturing Center, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, 12788, United Arab Emirates.

Abstract

This study investigates the corrosion kinetics and crack propagation in buried transmission pipelines made of high-strength low alloy steel API X100. Despite its cost-effectiveness and ability to withstand high operating conditions without increasing pipe wall thickness, the corrosion kinetics in near-neutral pH environments for this steel grade is not fully understood. To address this gap, two numerical models were developed. The first model, using COMSOL Multiphysics v5.6, showed higher electrolyte potential at the corrosion defect center due to stress-induced defect growth, increasing corrosion susceptibility. The second model, employing the XFEM approach, evaluated crack initiation, propagation, and von Mises stress distribution along the crack path. This research contributes to a better understanding of corrosion and crack behavior in corroded pipelines, aiding in their performance improvement in near-neutral pH soil environments.

Keywords: Anodic current density; Corrosion growth rate; Crack propagation; Extended finite element analysis; Mechano-electrochemical interactions; X100.