Spring 2019 - Corrosion Study of Copper Concetrate Pipeline

Affiliations:	This project will be conducted in the The National Corrosion and Materials Reliability Lab (NCMRL) located in the Center for Infrastructure Renewal (CIR) at RELLIS Campus
Project Leader:	Yenny Paola Cubides Gonzalez ypc2@tamu.edu Materials Science & Engineering
Faculty Mentor:	Dr. Homero Castaneda, Ph.D.
Meeting Times:	TBD
Team Size:	3 (Team Full)
Open Spots:	0
Special Opportunities:	The students will have the opportunity to learn how to conduct electrochemical testing as well as materials characterization and how to analyze the results. In addition, they have the opportunity to get involve in our NACE Texas A&M University chapter where they can learn more about corrosion and materials through our industry lecture series and at the same time they can establish a networking with our industry speakers for job opportunities.
Team Needs:	For this project we will need three undergraduate students helping us with the three major experimental parts of the project, that are described as the following tasks: Task 1- Design and build of the physical prototypes in the laboratory to simulate internal corrosion and erosion in pipelines, as well as influence of microorganisms on corrosion rate Task 2- Perform electrochemical testing such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), linear polarization resistance (LPR), galvanostatic, potentiostatic, and weight loss Task 3- Materials characterization after corrosion testing such as optical microscopy, SEM, EDS, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy
Description:	This project intends to use a series of advanced electrochemical techniques for characterizing and estimating corrosivity of a copper concentrated fluid (slurry) in specific pipeline samples. The technical outcome is the methodology and determination of corrosion degree in simulated operation conditions for different slurry samples that can guide indutry to find the path for the most effective selection of corrosion control and prevention action. This robust study of corrosion of pipeline that transports slurries at different grades offers a unique approach to investigate the corrosion rate and the mechanism influencing this process. The objectives of this study are as follows: To simulate the corrosion process occurring in the pipeline that transports different concentrate grades. To estimate the pure corrosion / erosion-enhanced corrosion / corrosion-enhanced erosion / pure erosion rate and Microbial-induced corrosion (MIC) of the pipeline at different slurries concentrations To understand the corrosion mechanisms at the pipeline/product interface formed by copper concentrate and factors influencing corrosion kinetics. To characterize if some inhibitors are plausible for corrosion mitigation in this pipeline system.