Development of an experimental methodology for assessing the growth of scale (CaCO₃) in pipelines

One of the problems that affect the mechanical integrity of pipelines transporting aqueous fluids is the formation of fouling deposits as CaCO₃. Today different theoretical models that establish criteria trend but are not decisive in establishing the true rate of growth of scale in a pipeline there. This paper presents experimental development which was conducted to deposit scale of calcium carbonate by using a loop in which the deposits formed into a capillary of stainless steel AISI 316 and thus study the influence of various physical - chemical factors such as the composition of the solution, flow rate, and surface temperature and the presence of CO₂ generated on amount of scale. The evolution of the thickness and the amount of fouling obtained by tests was subsequently determined and by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were characterized the deposits. With the results of the study show a strong influence of carbon dioxide in the amount of fouling obtained and according to the composition of the solution the flow rate fouling can generate greater or lesser scale. Under the test conditions is not possible to obtain deposits at room temperature. (paper)