Corrosion comparison: Mitreh Cold scale remover solution (MDA0102) vs. hydrochloric acid

Abstract

Scaling in industrial equipment, especially in the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries, is a constant challenge that leads to reduced efficiency, increased energy consumption, and serious damage to equipment. The common method for removing these deposits is acid washing with strong acids such as hydrochloric acid; however, this method itself can cause severe corrosion of the substrate metals.

In this study, the performance of cold mitreh scale remover solution (MDA0102) — an Iranian formulation with high power in scale removal and very low corrosion — was compared with 20% hydrochloric acid in terms of corrosion rate on two key industrial materials (carbon steel C1010 and titanium). The results of electrochemical experiments (impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization) showed that cold mitreh has a much lower corrosion rate than hydrochloric acid at all experimental concentrations (30% to 60%). This finding makes cold mitreh a safe, efficient and economical option for industries.

Introduction: Why is smart descaling essential?

In pipelines, heat exchangers, boilers and other industrial equipment, the formation of scale due to the reaction of water with minerals can have serious consequences:

• Reduction in pipe diameter and fluid flow
• Increase in pump pressure and energy consumption
• Reduction in heat transfer in heat exchangers
• Initiation of substrate corrosion processes

In practice, many industries still rely on hydrochloric acid as the main descaling solution. However, this acid, in addition to safety and environmental hazards, quickly corrodes metals and reduces the life of equipment.

In the meantime, cold mitreh solution (MDA0102) — an innovative product of Abrizan Company’s internal research — has been proposed as a safe and efficient alternative. This solution not only removes a wide range of deposits (carbonate, sulfate, sulfide, etc.), but also produces very low corrosion on common industrial alloys.

The purpose of this article is to provide scientific evidence for the superiority of cold mitreh over hydrochloric acid from a corrosion perspective — specifically for two critical materials: C1010 carbon steel and titanium metal.

Figure 1. Sediment formation in the pipeline

Methodology: How did we measure corrosion?

For accurate comparison, the following tests were performed under standard conditions (temperature 25°C, static solution):

Tested materials:

• C1010 carbon steel
• Pure titanium metal

Test media:

• Cold mitreh solution at concentrations of 30%, 40%, 50% and 60%
• 20% hydrochloric acid solution (common concentration in industry)

Analysis methods:

1. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)

→ To measure corrosion resistance (Rct) without damaging the sample

2. Potentiodynamic polarization (TOFEL)

→ To calculate the actual corrosion rate (in mm/year)

All tests were performed with an Autolab 302N instrument and in a three-electrode cell (working electrode: metal sample, reference electrode: Ag/AgCl, auxiliary electrode: platinum).

Key Findings: How Safe is Cold Mitreh?

1. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) Results

• The charge transfer resistance (Rct) of cold Mitreh was on average 5 to 10 times higher than that of hydrochloric acid.
• Higher Rct = Less Corrosion
• Even at the highest concentration (60%), cold Mitreh still performed better than HCl.

Figure 2. Nyquist plot of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test of C1010 steel and titanium

Figure 3. Equivalent circuits adapted to the results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test

Table 1. Results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test of C1010 steel

Table 2. Results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test of titanium metal

2. Tafel polarization results

• Corrosion rate (C.R) for C1010 steel in 20% HCl: 2.490 mm/year
• Same rate in 30% cold mitreh: 0.266 mm/year → 89% corrosion reduction!

For titanium:

• 20% HCl: 4.276 mm/year
• 30% cold mitreh: 0.002 mm/year → 99.95% corrosion reduction!

Figure 4. TOFEL diagram from potentiodynamic polarization test of C1010 steel and titanium metal

Table 3. Results of potentiodynamic polarization test of C1010 steel

Table 4. Potentiodynamic polarization test results of titanium metal

Discussion and Analysis: Why is this difference so significant?

The significant difference in corrosion rate is rooted in the clever chemical composition of cold mitreh:

• Presence of corrosion inhibitors in the formulation
• More balanced pH than mineral acids
• No production of hazardous gases (such as chlorine in HCl)
• Environmentally friendly and safe for operators

In contrast, hydrochloric acid, despite its effectiveness in removing unprotected scale, dissolves metal quickly and requires the addition of separate inhibitors, which itself increases cost and complexity.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study:

✅Cold mitreh (MDA0102) has a 20% lower corrosion rate than hydrochloric acid at all tested concentrations.

✅This difference was clearly observed for both materials — carbon steel and titanium.

✅Cold mitreh is not only safer, but it also significantly reduces repair and replacement costs by reducing damage to equipment.

Therefore, for the oil, gas, petrochemical, power plants and refrigeration industries, replacing hydrochloric acid with cold mitreh is a smart, economical and sustainable decision.

Resources

1) Crabtree, M., et al. (1999). *Fighting scale: removal and prevention*. Oilfield Review.

2) Olajire, A. A. (2015). *Oilfield scale management technology*. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering.

3) Kamal, M. S., et al. (2018). *Oilfield scale formation and chemical removal: A review*. JPSE.

4) Sholeh, M., Amiri, A. (1400). Field test performance of MED desalination scale removal with cold mitreh. 12th Heat Exchanger Conference.

5) Kajurimanesh, M. (1390). Investigation of the effect of a new non-corrosive scale removal solution in cooling facilities. 3rd International Heat Exchanger Conference.

6) Kelly, R. G., et al. (2002). *Electrochemical techniques in corrosion science*. CRC Press.

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