USE OF GLASS REINFORCED EPOXY PIPE IN PLACE OF CARBON STEEL PIPE IN NIGER DELTA.

Abstract

This research work uses gravimetric analysis for corrosion tests performed to determine the weight loss and corrosion extent on carbon steel and glass reinforced epoxy (GRE) specimens. Comparative results for both specimens are analysed to justify the use of glass reinforced epoxy pipe as an effective control measure for the corrosion of oil pipelines used for the transportation of hydrocarbon products. The values obtained from the experiment are used to develop regression model which can be helpful to predict the corrosion extents on both materials within the test composition. Coefficient of determination is explored to ascertain the reliability of the regression models. The results obtained indicated that 99 percent of the original uncertainty has been explained by the regression models. From the experimental results, glass reinforced epoxy test specimens had better resistant to corrosion than carbon steel test specimens which makes it attractive alternative to the conventional carbon steel pipe for the transportation of hydrocarbon products in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Keywords: Carbon steel, Corrosion extent, Gravimetric analysis, GRE, Regression models.