Corrosion of carbon steel pipes and tanks by concentrated sulfuric acid: A review

Abstract The corrosion of carbon steel storage tanks and pipes by concentrated sulfuric acid is a great concern. The contact of carbon steel with concentrated sulfuric acid generates an immediate acid attack with the formation of hydrogen gas and ferrous ions, which, in turn, form a protective layer of FeSO 4 on the metallic surface. This work presents a review of carbon steel corrosion in concentrated sulfuric acid. The corrosion mechanism of carbon steel in sulfuric acid, accelerating factors, types of carbon steel corrosion and the preventive methods against this corrosion are outlined.