Oxygen concentration differential

Oxygen is essential for corrosion to occur in the pH range commonly found in soils. Soils such as clays restrict oxygen movement therefore, these soils are prone to anaerobic conditions. Often, however, soils such as clays tend to promote galvanic corrosion cells that are caused by differences in oxygen concentration (differential concentration cell corrosion). Bacterial corrosion often occurs in clay soils because anaerobic conditions and organic matter promote bacterial growth. A common type of bacteria that causes... 

Oxygen concentration is held almost constant by water flow outside the crevice. Thus, a differential oxygen concentration cell is created. The oxygenated water allows Reaction 2.2 to continue outside the crevice. Regions outside the crevice become cathodic, and metal dissolution ceases there. Within the crevice. Reaction 2.1 continues (Fig. 2.3). Metal ions migrating out of the crevice react with the dissolved oxygen and water to form metal hydroxides (in the case of steel, rust is formed) as in Reactions 2.3 and 2.4 ... 

Underdeposit corrosion is not so much a single corrosion mechanism as it is a generic description of wastage beneath deposits. Attack may appear much the same beneath silt, precipitates, metal oxides, and debris. Differential oxygen concentration cell corrosion may appear much the same beneath all kinds of deposits. However, when deposits tend to directly interact with metal surfaces, attack is easier to recognize. 

Two sections of steel condenser tubing experienced considerable metal loss from internal surfaces. An old section contained a perforation the newer section had not failed. A stratified oxide and deposit layer overlaid all internal surfaces (Fig. 5.14). Corrosion was severe along a longitudinal weld seam in the older section (Fig. 5.15). Differential oxygen concentration cells operated beneath the heavy accumulation of corrosion products and deposits. The older tube perforated along a weld seam. 

Microstructural examinations revealed that branched cracks originated at shallow pit sites on the external surface. The pits, which may have formed during idle periods from differential oxygen concentration cells formed beneath deposits, acted as stress concentrators. The transverse (circumferential) crack orientation and the localization of cracks along just one side of the tube revealed that bending of the tube was responsible for the stresses involved. 

Differential Aeration-the stimulation of corrosion at a localized area by differences in oxygen concentration in the electrolytic solution that is in contact with the metal surface. 

Differential Aeration Cells. This type of concentration cell is more important in practice than is the salt concentration cell. The cell may be made from two electrodes of the same metal (i.e., iron), immersed completely in dilute sodium chloride solution (Figure 4-433). The electrolyte around one electrode (cathode) is thoroughly aerated by bubbling air. Simultaneously the electrolyte around the other electrode is deaerated by bubbling nitrogen. The difference in oxygen concentration causes a difference in potential. This, in turn, initiates the flow of current. This type of cell exists in several forms. Some of them are as follows [188]. 

Crevice corrosion of copper alloys is similar in principle to that of stainless steels, but a differential metal ion concentration cell (Figure 53.4(b)) is set up in place of the differential oxygen concentration cell. The copper in the crevice is corroded, forming Cu ions. These diffuse out of the crevice, to maintain overall electrical neutrality, and are oxidized to Cu ions. These are strongly oxidizing and constitute the cathodic agent, being reduced to Cu ions at the cathodic site outside the crevice. Acidification of the crevice solution does not occur in this system. 

At first sight it might appear that differential aeration could be explained in terms of a reversible oxygen concentration cell, for which... 

Gladysheva, V. P. and Shatalov, A. Ya., Corrosion of Metals During Differential Aeration , Part 2 Work of Differential Aeration Pairs During Varied Oxygen Concentration Proportions at the Cathode and Anode , Izv. Vyssh. Ucheb. Zaved., Khim. i Khim. Tekhnol., 16, 1663 (1973) C.A., 80, 55218J... 

In addition to the basic corrosion mechanism of attack by acetic acid, it is well established that differential oxygen concentration cells are set up along metals embedded in wood. The gap between a nail and the wood into which it is embedded resembles the ideal crevice or deep, narrow pit. It is expected, therefore, that the cathodic reaction (oxygen reduction) should take place on the exposed head and that metal dissolution should occur on the shank in the wood. 

Differential Aeration Differences in oxygen concentration in the electrolyte solution in contact with a metal. Differential aeration stimulates corrosion of that area where the oxygen concentration is lower, which becomes the anodic site. 

Oxygen Concentration Cell see under Differential Aeration. 

Although each form of concentration cell may be considered a discrete form of corrosion, in practice, more than one type may occur simultaneously. These forms of corrosion are all characterized by localized differences in concentration of hydrogen, oxygen, chloride, sulfate, and other minerals, but especially oxygen (producing the so-called differential oxygen concentration cell, or differential-aeration cell). The basic mechanisms surrounding each of these specific forms of concentration cell corrosion are discussed next. 

Under-Deposit Corrosion In the same way that oxygen becomes depleted in a crevice, and a differential-oxygen concentration cell is established, leading to localized corrosion of the oxygen-starved anodic area, so the same phenomenon readily occurs in dirty boilers under deposits, sludge, and other foulants. 

The partial oxygen pressure, p02, is particularly significant in metabolic processes of cells, and its variation from normal values often indicates pathologies (ischemic diseases, strokes, tumors). Accurate and localized measurements of the oxygen concentration are also desirable for differentiation between venous and arterial blood, or for cerebral mapping of task activation. In the past, invasive methods were used involving oxygen-sensitive electrodes which had to be placed directly in the blood or tissue and could only offer p02 from a few body points. 

During fermentation, the enhanced absorption rate of oxygen increases the bulk concentration and, as a consequence, the production rate of cells can be increased as well. To predict this effect, the enhanced transfer rate has to be incorporated into the differential mass balance equations of fermentation processes studied. If you know the mathematical expression of the biochemical reactions and their dependence on oxygen concentration as well as the enhanced absorption rates due to the dispersed organic phase,you can calculate the fermentation exactly after solving the equation system obtained. 

Phosphorus-31 MRS has been used widely to investigate mitochondria diseases in muscle. Trenell et al. measured an elevated ADP concentration and pHi in a group of mitochondrial myopathy (MM) patients, which is evidence of impaired oxidative ATP production in their skeletal mus-cle This study also showed that increased inspired oxygen concentration improves oxidative fimction in MM patients. In a separate study, Jeppesen et al. could not differentiate healthy subjects and MM patients using P MRS. ° They concluded the P MRS should not be a routine test in the diagnosis for MM patients. 

These forms of corrosion are all characterized by localized differences in concentration of hydrogen, oxygen, chloride, sulfate, etc., but especially oxygen (producing the so-called differential oxygen concentration cell or differential aeration cell). 

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