Influence of Biodiesel Concentration in Diesel Oil on Corrosion of

Carbon Steel by Bacillus megaterium

Y M Pusparizkita1, T Setiadi2 & A Harimawan3

Bandung Institute of Technology1, Bandung, Indonesia, Bandung Institute of
Technology 2 & Bandung Institute of Technology 3

Presenter email address: ymppraxedis@gmail.com

Abstract
The decreasing deposit of fossil energy will promote the finding of alternative energy
sources. Biofuels namely biodiesel, commonly mix with the diesel oil when used as
energy sources. This kind of fuel is typically stored in a storage tank constructed from
carbon steel. Carbon steel is preferred for the storage tank due to its good mechanical
properties and relatively inexpensive material. However, the material can be easily
corroded by microorganisms. In the storage tank, corrosion can occur, because
microorganisms are capable of utilizing hydrocarbons as a nutrient source and
forming a biofilm on the surface of the metal. Literatures showed that Bacillus sp. are
species that dominate the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons. With increasing
role of biofuels, the corrosion resistance of the storage material should be improved,
because this alternative fuel is one of the potential growth medium of microorganisms
leading to biocorrosion.
This research project mainly focus on the investigation of concentration variation of
biodiesel (15%, 20%, and 30% v/v) in diesel oil and types of microorganisms
influencing the biocorrosion. In this study, the corrosion process was investigated
through the evaluation of biofilm morphology and composition, and the corrosion
product of carbon steel which was exposed in the mixture of hydrocarbons and the
presence of B. megaterium.