Process for assessing inhibition of petroleum corrosion

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus for simulating corrosion activity in liquid and vapor/condensate corrosion environments. The apparatus includes a container, including a lower region containing the liquid and an upper region, including a condenser, a heater for providing heat to the lower region such that the liquid is maintained at a given temperature, a vacuum pump for providing a partial vacuum at a given pressure in the upper region of the container, one corrosion probe removably positioned in the liquid, and a second corrosion probe removably positioned above the liquid.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for simulating corrosion activity in liquid and vapor/condensate corrosion environments comprising: 
 a) a container, including a lower region containing said liquid and an upper region, including a condenser,    b) a heater for providing heat to said lower region such that said liquid is maintained at a given temperature,    c) a vacuum pump for providing a partial vacuum at a given pressure in said upper region of said container,    d) one corrosion probe removably positioned in said liquid, and    e) a second corrosion probe removably positioned above said liquid.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said container includes an insulated column and said lower region is a flask is in open communication with said insulated column and said upper region is a condenser is in open communication with said insulated column.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a means for providing an inert gas to the interior of said container.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said inert gas is nitrogen.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said condenser is water-cooled.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said corrosion probes are maintained in position with glass hooks.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said given temperature of said liquid is determined with a thermocouple.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said vacuum pump is a mechanical pump.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said apparatus is used to evaluate corrosion inhibitors.