The laboratory simulation of process equipment is a nontrivial matter. It requires an understanding of the complex relationships among many environmental and materials parameters. Only through experience and an understanding of the fundamental processes of corrosion can this be obtained. This series of hot topic articles provides several examples of laboratory simulation of different applications relevant to chemical process corrosion. This article provides an overview of the methodology and describes the role of some essential parameters in simulating chemical processes in the laboratory.
Subsequent articles focus on specific examples of process corrosion simulation.
Rank your objectives Successful test design depends on assigning priority to each of the physical, mechanical, and chemical parameters that can have an influence on the mechanism of corrosive degradation. The assignment of these priorities also must take into account the cost and time schedule involved in the simulation of the service environment. The object is often to arrive at an accurate simulation with the lowest cost and shortest time. However, as the economic consequences of the result increase, typically more effort is justified in producing the accurate simulations of the actual service conditions. Ideally, materials and environments must be duplicated exactly in the laboratory.