Field Guide for Managing Iron Sulfide (Black Powder) Within Pipelines or Processing Equipment

The “Field Guide for Managing Iron Sulfide (Black Powder) within Pipelines or Processing Equipment” offers practical guidance for corrosion control and operations personnel in managing black powder within their pipeline systems or processing equipment.  It starts with a discussion of what is black powder and identifies health and safety considerations associated with H2S and the presence of black powder, identifying why there may be a concern.  The Field Guide presents field and laboratory tests typically used to identify the presence of iron sulfide, and then discusses maintenance pigging and/or chemical treatments for removing such particulates.  Several case studies are also presented.

This book was written for new corrosion control professionals and operations personnel, who are based at production facilities.  It provides straightforward, practical guidance regarding what is “black powder,” and why it may be a concern, field tests to be conducted, follow-up laboratory test that could be ordered, and an approach for using maintenance pigging, coupled with chemical treatments, to remove accumulations of “black powder.”  Please note the economic effect that black powder may have, not only on flow efficiency or any deleterious effects on operating equipment, but also the cost of removal. 

The accumulation of black powder is becoming more widely recognized as a common concern within the crude oil and gas industry.  This book is unique in that it focuses on the detection, analysis, and removal of black powder (iron sulfide) from operational systems.  It offers practical advice, which corrosion control and operations personnel can use when developing their own remediation programs