Evaluation of Imidazoline-based Inhibitors for Oil Environment by Means of Advanced Electrochemical Methods

Abstract

 In this paper, preliminary results of tests for the evaluation of the activity of imidazoline-based corrosion inhibitors by means of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and other traditional electrochemical methods are reported. Tests have been carried out on AISI 1040 mild steel specimens immersed in a solution simulating the composition of the aqueous phase during oil production under conditions such as high salinity, presence of CO₂, anaerobic environment, and a temperature of 40°C. Two different inhibitor formulations were tested.

EIS data have been analysed by means of equivalent circuits. The electrochemical tests permitted to evidence different mechanisms and activity depending on inhibitor formulation.