SCC of Carbon/Low-Alloy Steels in CO-H2O Environments

[mrfailure]

Stress corrosion cracking of carbon and low alloy steels has been documented in certain mixed concentrations of CO-CO₂-H₂O. All of the literature I have reviewed has explained that all 3 of these components must be present. Does anyone know if there is any documentation where the mix is just CO and H₂O, with no CO₂?

 

[btrueblood]

I don't know how you would prevent at least some of the CO from further oxidizing to CO2.

 

[metengr]

Take a look at this publication on carbon monoxide and containers.

http://www.airproducts.com/~/media/Files/PDF/company/safetygram-19.pdf

I would contact the Compressed Gas Association and see what they have in the way of test data

http://www.cganet.com/

 

[mrfailure]

Thanks metengr. As always, amazed at the resources you can pull up at your fingertips.

btrueblood, the system in question is not exposed to oxygen or air. But I was wondering indeed if CO₂ could form under a chemical reaction CO + H₂O --->CO₂ + H₂. This would then provide the necessary carbon dioxide. However, the process happens under high pressure at ambient temperature and I have the impression I need higher temperatures to get some dissoulution of the carbon monoxide.