H2S CORROSION LABORATORY

CORMET COMPLETES INSTALLATION OF HT-HP H₂S LABORATORY IN BILBAO

Cormet has successfully designed and built a high-temperature, high-pressure (HT HP) H₂S laboratory at the Energy Intelligence Center (EIC) in Bilbao. The EIC - owned by the public company Bizkaia Azpiegiturak and managed by Tubacex - is a state-of-the-art R&D hub focused on advanced solutions in clean energy, hydrogen, and carbon capture. Tubacex, a global producer of stainless steels and CRAs, has deep roots in the Bilbao region.

The new laboratory features five Alloy C-276 autoclaves, each housed in its own draft cabinet. Every autoclave is equipped with dedicated gas supply lines:

1.    nitrogen,

2.    low-pressure nitrogen / H₂S / H₂S-mix gas, and

3.    CO₂.

All gas flows are precisely managed using mass flow controllers (MFCs). All the autoclaves have been equipped with stirrers.

Three autoclaves are configured for SSRT testing to evaluate SCC performance in H₂S/CO₂ environments relevant to the oil and gas industry. One of these systems includes advanced electrochemical capabilities for corrosion potential monitoring and dynamic electrochemical testing. The loading devices are uniquely built with a load-line alignment system according to NACE TM0198 and ASTM E1012.

In addition, the lab includes two standard Alloy C-276 autoclaves (10 litre and 37 litre). These are primarily intended for four-point bending (FPB) testing but offer flexibility for a wide range of specimen sizes, shapes, and quantities due to their large volume.

All outlet gas streams are neutralized in NaOH-filled waste containers located in a separate draft cabinet. Three 200 litre blow-down tanks safely manage the autoclave relief-valve discharges. The facility also incorporates a full ventilation system with scrubber, an H₂S alarm system, and dedicated gas cylinder cabinets. The laboratory benefits from a dual waste-gas neutralization setup: NaOH treatment for cell exhaust and a scrubber system for the complete laboratory airflow.