. 2023 Sep 4;9(9):e19768. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19768

Table 4.

The effect of H₂S on equipment and potential solutions.

S/N	Specific damage	Explanation	Potential solution	Reference
1.	Corrosion-Mechanical Attack	H₂S can corrode metal surfaces and mechanically harm them, especially when moisture is available. Pipelines, valves, and other pieces of machinery may corrode, resulting in leaks, decreased structural integrity, and, eventually, failure.	F095 Material Selection: H₂S corrosion can be lessened using corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel or corrosion-resistant alloys. F095F020 Protective Coatings: Protection against corrosive attack can be achieved by coating or lining metal surfaces with the proper materials. F095F020 Cathodic Protection: By applying a protective current to the metal surfaces, cathodic protection devices like sacrificial anodes or impressed current systems may help prevent corrosion.	[41,42]
2.	Failures in Tools and Equipment	H₂S exposure can lead to malfunctions in the pumps, compressors, turbines, and electrical components involved in natural gas production. H₂S's corrosive properties can damage gaskets, seals, and moving parts, which can cause equipment to break down or malfunction.	F095F020 Regular Inspections and Maintenance: Regular inspections, including non-destructive testing and visual checks, may help detect early indications of degradation or damage and enable prompt repair or replacement. F095F020 Equipment Upgrades: Equipment's resistance against damage from H₂S can be improved by switching to H₂S-resistant components or designs. F095F020 Monitoring and Detection Systems: Installing monitoring systems that can identify H₂S concentrations, provide early notifications, and enable rapid corrective measures can help prevent equipment failures.	[43]
3.	Tool Joint Issues	In drilling operations, tool joints—connections between drill pipes—can also specifically pose problems. H₂S can cause embrittlement and stress corrosion cracking in tool joints.	F095F020 Material Selection: The risk of failures can be reduced by selecting tool joint materials with enhanced resistance to H₂S-induced corrosion and cracking F095F020 Enhanced Inspection Techniques: Advanced inspection methods, including ultrasonic or electromagnetic testing, can assist in discovering early indications of destruction in tool joints and enable preventative maintenance or replacement	[44,45]