Vapour Inhibiting Ability (VIA) Test of Vappro VBCI

843 Powder Using German VIA Test Method TL

8135-002
Nelson Cheng1 PhD (Honoris Causa), Patrick Moe1 BSc, Grad Dip, MSc
1
Magna International Pte Ltd
Singapore

Dr Benjamin Valdez Salas2, Dr Michael Schorr2

2
Autonomous University of Baja California

Article Info Abstract

Article History Hydrostatic testing of metallic pressured vessels and
Date of piping is an imperative process for quality control of
Publication: pressured vessels and piping after production and during
use. Water is used during hydrostatic testing, corrosion of
29th October 2018
the pressure vessels and piping during and after testing is
Available online:
a major concern. The demand for VBCI Powders used in
30th October 2018 hydrostatic testing has seen a marked increase in recent
Keywords: years from the oil and gas industry. In order to remain as
Vappro 843 VBCI a market leader and expand its market share, Magna
International has developed a cost-effective VBCI Powder
odourless Powder
making it more commercially viable for the oil and gas
German VIA Test
industry where the volume of said usage is substantial.
Method 81305- Vapor-phase corrosion inhibitors (VCI), when added to
002 water in small concentrations are able to prevent
Vapour Inhibition corrosion during testing, during wet storage and after
Ability testing. To convince the users from the said industry, the
Vappro VBCI 843 anti-corrosion vapour efficacy has to be
ascertained. Controlling Vapour Pressure of VCI Products
is the state-of-the-art manufacturing, as different VCI
carriers are used to meet each unique application due to
the wide applications of VCI products. Ascertaining the
Vapour Corrosion Inhibition Ability of VCI product is of
paramount importance to all VCI manufacturers. In view
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 of the above, an internationally recognised and reliable
test method are essential. The German TL 8135-002 Test
Method [3][4][5][6] has been adopted to ascertain the
Vapour Inhibition Ability (VIA) Properties. The said test
involves the use of a defined test object of constructional
steel with a high degree of sensitivity to corrosion
through condensation water packed together with 0.5
gram of Vappro VBCI 843 in a glass vessel, which is then
tightly closed. By means of a blank trial, which is a trial
structure of the same type but without 0.5 grams of
Vappro VBCI 843 – it is determined whether the
conditions of the trial are sufficient to cause corrosion to
appear on the unprotected test sample.

Introduction

Hydrostatic testing of metallic pressured vessels and piping is an imperative process

for quality control of pressured vessels and piping after production and during use.
Water is used during hydrostatic testing, corrosion of the pressure vessels and piping
during and after testing is a major concern.

Hydrostatic testing is carried out as a means to determine the fitness of a pressurized

vessels and piping systems [1,2]. The test may take place on newly constructed
pressured vessels and newly installed piping systems or have recently been repaired.
Hydrostatic testing consists of increasing the pressure level beyond the operating
pressure to examine whether or not any leaks at pressures above the operating
pressure [1,2]. Any leakages will be rectified or if no failure occurs because no such
defect exists, a safe margin of pressure above the operating pressure is
demonstrated. [1,2] Nonetheless, when metal example iron, is in contact with water
and oxygen, corrosion will start and the mechanism can be described with following
equation: Fe + n/2 H2O + n/4 O2 = Fe(OH)n

Hence, corrosion inhibitors such as Vapour Corrosion Inhibitors are extensively used
for hydrostatic testing in the oil and gas industry. Since different VCI carriers such as
powders, tablets, polyurethane foam, Tyvek pouches, Tyvek sachets, polyethylene
film, Kraft papers, oils, solvents and water are used in the production Vappro VBCI
Products. The German test method TL 8135-002 [3][4][5][6] is used to determine the
corrosion protection effect of VCI powder, and its auxiliary packing materials such as
VBCI foam emitter, VBCI pouch, VBCI powder, VBCI papers, VBCI oils, and VBCI films
on a defined test object of constructional steel.

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Vappro VBCI 843[7] is an odourless VCI powder specially developed to inhibit both
ferrous and non-ferrous metals from corrosion after hydrostatic testing, it eliminates
the formation of corrosion due to residual water after the draining of hydrotest water
[8][9]. Vappro VBCI 843 eliminates the need to force dry the piping system after
pressure testing and flushing. It reduces downtime caused by formation of corrosion
in piping system which can result in seized valves, blocked pipework and potential
damage to downstream process equipment.

Vappro 843 is also an excellent product for hydrostatic testing and dry corrosion
protection of metals in deep recessed areas, interior cavities and voids where there is
no access for the application of direct contact inhibitors. Hence, it is of an absolute
essential to test the Vapour Inhibition Ability (VIA) of Vappro 843 using an
internationally recognized and reliable test method. The German VIA Test Method
813005-002 [3,4,5,6,] has been adopted, and the test procedure is herein described
below.

German VIA Test Method 81305-002 [3],[4],[5],[6]

A test sample with a high degree of sensitivity to corrosion through condensation of

water is packed together with 0.5 gram of Vappro VBCI 843 powder in a vessel, which
is then tightly closed. Condensation is then forced on the surface of the test sample.
By means of a blank trial, which is a trial structure of the same type but without 0.5
grams of Vappro VBCI 843 – it is determined whether the conditions of the trial are
sufficient to cause corrosion to appear on the unprotected test sample.

Test object
4 pieces of unalloyed, solid construction steel.

Test Sample
0.5 gram of Vappro VBCI 843

Test solution
10 ml freshly prepared glycerine/water mixture with a density of 1.076 g/cm3 at (23±2)
°C, which is intended to produce approximately 90% Relative Humidity in the jar.

Test Equipment and Material

For each test, 4 test sets are necessary. A test set consists of the following parts
(1) Test Jars, 1 L, wide-necked
(2) Rubber stopper, 54 mm Æ, with longitudinal through hole

3
(3) unalloyed, solid construction steel test objects
(4) 0.5 gram of Vappro VBCI 843
(5) 10 millilitres freshly prepared glycerine/water mixture with a density of 1.076 g/cm3
at (23± 2) °C (glycerine/water mass ratio about 1:2)
(5) Ethanol

Procedure of the test

Four test objects were polished with 320 grit abrasive paper to remove all the grit and
rust. Rinsed with ethanol and dried them. Polished test object was inserted into the
rubber stopper. Please see below picture figure A.

Figure A

Then rubber stopper was inserted to the test jar cover and 0.5 gram of Vappro VBCI
843 was placed in the jar. Then the test jar was closed with a jar cover. Please see below
picture figure B.

Figure B
For the blank sample, the B test jar was sealed without inserting the Vappro VBCI 843.
It had no VCI chemicals and it is only used as a control/ yardstick for the experiment.
Please see below picture figure C.

4
Figure C

The four test sets were stored for a period of (20±0.5) hours at a room temperature.
At the end of the storage period, the jar covers were removed from the test jars, the
freshly prepared 10 ml of the test solution, glycerine/water mixture, was poured into
each jar immediately after opening, and the jars were immediately closed again. Please
see below picture figure D.

Figure D

After an additional 2 hours ± 10 minutes, the test jars were stored for a period of 2
hours ± 10 minutes in the heating chamber at temperature 40°C to create 90% Relative
Humidity in test jars.

On conclusion of storage in the heating chamber, the test objects were disassembled
from test jars and dried with warm air. Then inspected any sign of corrosion on the
sanded surface of the test objects from the four jars.
Test Result

5
The sanded surface of the test object from the blank sample was badly rusted. Please
see below picture figure E.

Figure E
No sign of corrosion was found on three test objects protected with Vappro VBCI 843.
Please see below picture figure F.

Figure F

The Requirement of TL 8135-002 for the corrosion protection effect:

6
Conclusion

Based on above the test result, Vappro VBCI 843 passed the Grade 3 German test
method TL 8135-002.

References

[1] Duffy, A. R., McClure, G. M., Maxey, W. A., and Atterbury, T. J., Study of Feasibility
of Basing Natural Gas Pipeline Operating Pressure on Hydrostatic Test Pressure,
American Gas Association, Inc. Catalogue No. L30050 (February 1968)

[2] Kiefner, J. F., Maxey, W. A., and Eiber, R. J., “A Study of the Causes of Failure of
Defects That Have Survived a Prior Hydrostatic Test”, Pipeline Research Committee,
American Gas Association, NG-18 Report No. 111 [November 3, 1980].

[3] M. A. Akyüz, “Behaviour of Benzotriazole Salts in Multi Metal Formulations for

Corrosion Inhibition of Copper,” Corrosion 2014. 2014.

[4] “Anti-Rust Test - GREENVCi: Anti Rust Plastic Bags Rustproof Plastic Bags: 061-
921-5511.” [Online]. Available:
https://www.ถุงพลาสติกกันสนิ ม.com/การทดสอบการป้ องกันสนิ ม/#more-10.
[Accessed: 26-Oct-2018].

[5] “German test method TL 8135-002.pdf.” .

[6] A. Y. Furman, M. Kharshan, and C. J. Chandler, “Performance and Testing of

Vapor Phase Corrosion Inhibitors,” Corros. 2004, pp. 1–12, 2004.

[7] “VCI Powders | Hydrotest Anti Corrosion Powder | Multi Metal Corrosion
Protection.” [Online]. Available:
https://www.vapprocorrosioncontrol.com.au/corrosion-inhibitor-products/vci-
powder.html. [Accessed: 29-Oct-2018].

[8] K. Das Xihua He, Southwest Research Institute, L. Perry, and P. R. C.

International, “Evaluating Drying Time of Residual Hydrotest Water in Crevices
and Dead Legs,” NACE Pap. No. 8958, no. 8958, pp. 1–15, 2017.

[9] M. Suban, R. Cvelbar, and B. Bundara, “The impact of stagnant water on the
corrosin processes in a pipeline,” Mater. Technol., vol. 44, no. 6, pp. 379–383,
2010.