Which corrosion increases locally due to high flow, particularly with turbulent flow conditions?

• A. Flow accelerated corrosion
• B. Boric acid corrosion
• C. Impurity
• D. Water quality equilibrium

Answer: (A)

Flow-accelerated corrosion is driven by the movement of fluid itself. When water or other coolant moves at high velocity and is turbulent, the mass transfer of oxidants to the metal surface increases and protective oxide films are more easily stripped away. This leaves fresh metal exposed and promotes faster dissolution, so the corrosion rate climbs in those high-flow, turbulent regions. This is especially a concern in systems with carbon steel piping or components where flow is intense, such as near bends, tees, or high-velocity risers.

Other forms of corrosion mentioned are primarily chemical or environment-driven rather than being caused by the flow regime. Boric acid corrosion depends on chemical attack from boric acid under certain pH/chemical conditions. Impurity-related corrosion comes from contaminants in the water, not the flow rate itself, and water quality equilibrium relates to balancing chemical species rather than flow-induced removal of protective films.