Novel cationic surfactants for corrosion inhibition of carbon steel pipelines in oil and gas wells applications

A novel series of cationic surfactants namely: 1-dodecyl-2-(phenethylimino)-1-methylpyrrolidin-1-ium bromide (A), 1-dodecyl-2-((2-hydroxyethyl)imino)-1-methylpyrrolidin-1-ium bromide (B) and 1-dodecyl-2-((4-hydroxyphenyl)imino)-1-methylpyrrolidin-1-ium bromide (C), were evaluated as corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel pipelines in oil and gas wells applications by weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. Surface parameters of the cationic surfactants were determined using surface tension and conductivity techniques. The results of the surface tension measurements showed good surface behavior of these compounds in their aqueous solutions. The prepared cationic surfactants showed a good ability to act as corrosion inhibitors for the tested system. It was found that the inhibition efficiency increases by increasing the inhibitor concentration, exposure time and temperature. Inhibition efficiency of three cationic surfactants follows the order: C > A > B.