Sains Malaysiana 55(4)(2026): 717-729

http://doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2026-5504-11

Effect of Injection Method Towards Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor Efficacy in Wet Gas Pipelines

(Kesan Kaedah Suntikan terhadap Keberkesanan Perencat Kakisan Meruap dalam Saluran Paip Gas Basah)

HUSNA HAYATI JARNI^1,², MUHAMMAD TAQIUDDIN ADLAN^1,2, NURUL SYAAHIDAH AULIA SHAM^1,2, ADLI MD NOOR³, MOHD RIZUAN MOHD RAZLAN^1,² & NAJMIDDIN YAAKOB^1,2,*

¹Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

²Industrial Corrosion Research Center, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia

³Hextar Secadyme Sdn. Bhd., 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Received: 1 October 2025/Accepted: 30 March 2026

Abstract

Pigging is performed before the injection of Volatile Corrosion Inhibitors (VCIs) to remove corrosion products and other residues from the internal surface of the pipeline. This process results in pre-corroded surface conditions, which raises concerns regarding the effectiveness of VCIs under such circumstances. Additionally, optimal dosage and injection method are critical for VCI to serve a dual role in mitigating top-of-line corrosion and bottom-of-line corrosion in wet gas pipelines. In this study, 1000 ppm VCI was injected using batch and continuous methods under non-corroded and pre-corroded conditions to evaluate the performance of API 5L X65 carbon steel using a TLC setup following the weight loss method (ASTM G1-03). Experimental results demonstrate that the VCI significantly reduces uniform corrosion rates (UCR) particularly at the bottom-of-line, achieving a maximum of 98% inhibition efficiency. However, with the overall pitting rates (PR) were reduced, localized attacks became the dominant. The VCI continuous injection method proved more effective in reducing the general corrosion severity but remained insufficient for controlling localized pitting case. On the other hand, pre-corrosion conditions facilitate VCI effectiveness in reducing severity at the top-of-line; however, this effect is not observed at the bottom-of-line. Lifespan predictions correlated closely with both UCR and PR, showing that high-dosage VCI application via either batch or continuous injection alone does not provide adequate long-term protection, regardless of the initial surface condition. These findings suggest that a hybrid approach combining multiple injection methods may be necessary to further mitigate corrosion severity and extend the operational lifespan of the pipeline.

Keywords: Batch injection method; bottom-of-line corrosion; continuous injection method; pre-corroded condition; top-of-line corrosion; volatile corrosion inhibitor

Abstrak

Pigging dilakukan sebelum suntikan Perencat Kakisan Meruap (VCI) untuk membuang produk kakisan dan sisa lain dari permukaan dalaman saluran paip. Proses ini mengakibatkan keadaan permukaan pra-karat yang menimbulkan kebimbangan mengenai keberkesanan VCI dalam keadaan sedemikian. Di samping itu, dos optimum dan kaedah suntikan adalah penting untuk VCI memainkan peranan ganda dalam mengurangkan kakisan atas dan kakisan bawah dalam saluran paip gas basah. Dalam kajian ini, 1000 ppm VCI telah disuntik menggunakan kaedah kelompok dan berterusan di bawah keadaan tidak berkarat dan pra-karat untuk menilai prestasi keluli karbon API 5L X65 menggunakan persediaan TLC mengikut kaedah penurunan berat (ASTM G1-03). Keputusan uji kaji menunjukkan bahawa VCI mengurangkan kadar kakisan seragam (UCR) dengan ketara terutamanya di bahagian bawah, mencapai kecekapan perencatan maksimum 98%. Walau bagaimanapun, dengan kadar lubang keseluruhan (PR) dikurangkan, serangan setempat menjadi dominan. Kaedah suntikan berterusan VCI terbukti lebih berkesan dalam mengurangkan tahap keterukan kakisan umum tetapi masih tidak mencukupi untuk mengawal kes bopeng setempat. Sebaliknya, keadaan pra-karat memudahkan keberkesanan VCI dalam mengurangkan tahap keterukan di bahagian atas talian; walau bagaimanapun, kesan ini tidak diperhatikan di bahagian bawah talian. Ramalan jangka hayat berkait rapat dengan UCR dan PR, mendedahkan bahawa aplikasi VCI dos tinggi melalui suntikan kelompok atau berterusan sahaja tidak memberikan perlindungan jangka panjang yang mencukupi, tanpa mengira keadaan permukaan awal. Penemuan ini menunjukkan bahawa pendekatan hibrid yang menggabungkan pelbagai kaedah suntikan mungkin diperlukan untuk mengurangkan tahap keterukan kakisan dan memanjangkan jangka hayat operasi saluran paip.

Kata kunci: Kaedah suntikan berterusan; kaedah suntikan kelompok; kakisan bahagian atas talian; kakisan bahagian bawah talian; keadaan pra-karat; perencat kakisan meruap

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*Corresponding author; email: najmiddin@uitm.edu.my