Numerical simulation for carbon steel flow‐induced corrosion in high‐velocity flow seawater

PurposeThis paper aims to study flow‐induced corrosion mechanisms for carbon steel in high‐velocity flowing seawater and to explain corrosive phenomena.Design/methodology/approachAn overall mathematical model for flow‐induced corrosion of carbon steel in high‐velocity flow seawater was established in a rotating disk apparatus using both numerical simulation and test methods. By studying the impact of turbulent flow using the kinetic energy of a turbulent approach and the effects of the computational near‐wall hydrodynamic parameters on corrosion rates, corrosion behavior and mechanism are discussed here. It is applicable in order to understand in depth the synergistic effect mechanism of flow‐induced corrosion.FindingsIt was found that it is scientific and reasonable to investigate carbon steel corrosion through correlation of the near‐wall hydrodynamic parameters, which can accurately describe the influence of fluid flow on corrosion. The computational corrosion rates obtained by this model are in good agreement with measured corrosion data. It is shown that serious flow‐induced corrosion is caused by the synergistic effect between the corrosion electrochemical factor and the hydrodynamic factor, while the corrosion electrochemical factor plays a dominant role in flow‐induced corrosion.Originality/valueThe corrosion kinetics and mechanism of metals in a high‐velocity flowing medium is discussed here. These results will help those interested in flow‐induced corrosion to understand in depth the type of issue.