Cover
Vol. 25 No. 1 (2025)

Published: September 9, 2025

Pages: 47-55

Original Article

The Impact of Iraqi Crude Oil Sulphur Content on the Mechanical Characteristics and Corrosion Resistance of Various Carbon Steel Grades Pipeline Welded Joints

Mohammed Yahya Lafth 1 Haider Mahdi Lieth 1
1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq
History
  • Received: January 11, 2025
  • Revised: January 27, 2025
  • Accepted: February 2, 2025
  • Available Online: August 16, 2025
DOI

https://doi.org/10.33971/bjes.25.1.7

Abstract

The enormous volume of crude oil that needs to be transported results from the growing demand for petroleum. One of the most practical ways to move crude oil is via pipelines. This paper's primary objective is to examine the effects of sulphur, one of the components of crude oil, on welded pipes (API 5L X60, X46, and X42 pipes as well as ASTM A106 pipes). It also aims to show how sulphur content influences different kinds of pipes separately from the other important components of crude oil. The sulphur content of crude oil is determined using the TR-TCXRF equipment. The corrosion rates of welded pipes in four immersion solutions (Different percentages of sulphur content) were computed using weight loss. The samples' corrosion characteristics were assessed morphologically using an optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Petroleum welded pipelines' mechanical qualities and resistance to corrosion are significantly impacted by sulphur; an increase in sulphur concentration resulted in a higher rate of corrosion and a decrease in mechanical properties. Among all the welded pipes utilized in the paper, the API 5L X60 welded pipe had the highest corrosion rate, whereas X46 welded pipe was more corrosion-resistant than X46 and X42 in API 5L-type pipes and ASTM A106 pipe.

Keywords

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