Hydrogen accumulation and distribution in pipeline steel under conditions of enhanced corrosion has been studied. The XRD analysis, optical spectrometry and uniaxial tension tests reveal that the corrosion environment affects the parameters of the inner and outer surface of the steel pipeline as well as the steel pipeline bulk. The steel surface becomes saturated with hydrogen released as a reaction product during insignificant methane dissociation. Measurements of the adsorbed hydrogen concentration throughout the steel pipe bulk were carried out. The pendulum impact testing of Charpy specimens was performed at room temperature in compliance with national standards. The mechanical properties of the steel specimens were found to be considerably lower, and analogous to the properties values caused by hydrogen embrittlement.
Keywords: cathodic protection current; hydrogen adsorption; hydrogen distribution; hydrogen embrittlement; pipeline inner surface; trunk gas pipelines.