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5 MicrobiallyInfluencedCorrosion PDF
5 MicrobiallyInfluencedCorrosion PDF
Note
There is no such thing as microbiological corrosion, but there is
Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC)
Background
1891 First report of micro-organisms influencing the corrosion of lead cable
sheathing
1934 Report that corrosion of cast iron in anaerobic clay involved the action
of sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB)
Influences
• Microbiological species affect corrosion by:
-
• Producing aggressive species (e.g. S2 , acid)
• Biodegradation of protective oils or waxes
• Forming deposits
• Stimulating the cathodic process
• Interfering with the action of corrosion inhibitors
Examples:
• Cladosporium Resinae
Fungus that produces organic acids
• Thiobacillus Ferro-oxidans
Oxidizes sulphides (or sulphur) to sulfuric
acid
• Desulfovibrio
Produces sulphides and can stimulate the
cathodic reaction
Sulphate Reducing Bacteria (SRB)
• The type of organism most commonly implicated in MIC problems in
the petroleum production industry.
• SRB have an important role in the natural sulphur cycle.
• Dimensions
Length 1 – 5 1m
Diameter 0.2 – 2 1m
• Water
Common requirement for all living organisms
Source: produced water, seawater, ground water
• Organic matter
Require a organic carbon
Source: crude oil, biological matter in natural waters
Some SRB metabolize organics completely (to CO2 and
water)
Other SRB metabolize organics incompletely (to acetates)
In natural SRB colonies both types co-operate
• Sulphate
Reduction to Sulphide or organic sulphur compounds
is a defining characteristic of SRB
Source: produced water, seawater, ground water
• Hydrogen
(some) SRB oxidize use the enzyme hydrogenase
to oxidize hydrogen as part of their metabolic
energy-generation process.
Source: cathodic sites on the corroding metal
• Anaerobic conditions
SRB are strict anaerobes (i.e. they can only grow in an
oxygen-free environment).
They can survive aerobic conditions and become active if
conditions become anaerobic (e.g. under a decaying biomass
deposit).
Temperature Limits
• Most strains are mesophilic (metabolize in the temperature range 20-
40 C)
• Some strains are thermophilic and can grow at up to 85 C
Pressure Effects
• High pressure does not seem to present a survival problem
• e.g. one strain does not grow at 75 C (1 bar pressure), but does grow
95 C if the pressure is increased to 570 bar.
• Cathodic stimulation
Consume (oxidize) cathodic H2
(Encouraging further H2 generation)
Produce S2- ions FeS
(An effective cathode surface)
• Anodic stimulation
In the presence of Fe2+ ions (in soils),
SRB inhibit the formation of protective sulphides
Corrosion rates
• Laboratory experiments invariably produce corrosion rates which are
lower than found in service. This is thought to reflect the impracticality
of replicating complex multi-organism systems.
• Maximum pitting rates in the range 2 to 10 mm/year have been
ascribed to MIC.
• However, care must be exercised when considering MIC rates
reported from service experience. This is because of the uncertainty
over when the MIC initiated.
Note:
• SRB activity is not the same as SRB numbers
• Most techniques enumerate numbers rather than activity
• The presence of SRB does not confirm MIC
However: