Computation of Rates of General Corrosion Using Electrochemical and Thermodynamic Models

A comprehensive model has been developed for simulating the rates of general corrosion of selected metals in aqueous solutions. The model consists of a thermophysical and an electrochemical module. The thermophysical module is used to calculate the speciation of aqueous solutions and to obtain concentrations, activities, and transport properties of individual species. The electrochemical module simulates partial oxidation and reduction processes on the surface of the metal. It is capable of reproducing the active-passive transition and the effect of solution species on passivity. The model has been implemented in a program that can be used to simulate the effects of conditions such as temperature, pressure, pH, component concentrations, and flow velocity on corrosion rates. Application examples are presented for carbon steel in aerated systems in the presence of selected inorganic inhibitors. Good agreement with experimental data was obtained.