Microbial Corrosion

By

Ashraf El-Shamy
National Research Centre
Physical Chemistry Dept.
Tel: 01222846136
E-mail: elshamy10@yahoo.com
 Sulphate Reducing Bacteria

Found in a large variety of environments

Electron acceptors - sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate, sulfur, nitrate e fumarate.

Electron donors - lactate, pyruvate, hydrogen, fumarate, malate, ethanol.

Positive
enrichment
Sterile medium
showing black FeS

• Can use molecular oxygen to sustain life, but not to grow.*

 Why Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria?
-
SO42
-
SO32
organic S
S0
H2S
Global S Cycle
Souring of oil
reservoirs

Microbial-induced corrosion
Industrial Awareness of MIC
 Viable cell counting

Viable cell counting

Viable cell counting

 Sterilization

• Filtration: (0.2 μm filter)

• UV-light: Destroy cells

• Heat (121°C):autoclave (hyperthermophiles survive)

• Ethanol: coagulation of proteins

• Detergents, hydrophobic compounds: affect cell

membranes/break membranes

• Cu, Ag, Hg: inhibit enzymes

Biofilm Formation
 The Biofouling Process

 Planktonic bacteria

free swimming in bulk water *

 Sessile bacteria

attached to surfaces *
 Treatments of Microbial Corrosion

 Oxidising Biocides

Have the ability to oxidise organic matter eg. protein groups *

 Non-Oxidising Biocides

Prevent normal cell metabolism in any of the following *

: ways
Alter permeability of cell wall*
Destroy protein groups*
Precipitate protein*
Block metabolic enzyme reactions*
 Oxidizing Biocides

 Sodium Hypochlorite

 Hypobromous Acid

 Chlorine dioxide

 Ozone

 Hydrogen Peroxide
Properties of Oxidising Biocides

 Rapid kill
 Cost effective
 Tolerant of contamination
e.g. Bromine, Chlorine Dioxide

 Minimal environmental impact

e.g. Bromine, Ozone, Peroxide, Chlorine Dioxide

 Ineffective against SRB’s

 Low residual toxicity
 Counts approaching potable water standards
possible
 Non Oxidising Biocides

 Screen water
 Select alternating biocide to prevent resistant strains
from developing
 Effective against SRB’s
 Can protect system long after dosing.
 Contain biodispersant
 Higher dosage for kill possible
 Environmentally some have rapid breakdown e.g.
DBNPA
 Bio dispersants
 Improves penetration of biocide within bacterial
slime

 Dispersereleased bacteria and biofilm into bulk

water for removal by blow down

 Reduces ability for bacteria to attach to system

surface

 Improves performance of both non oxidising and

particularly oxidising biocides
 Physical Treatment of Microbial
Corrosion
 Ultra Violet and Ultra Filtration

Only Effective At Point Of Use*

Cannot Kill Sessile Organisms*

Offer No Protection To Isolated Parts Of System*

(Static Areas)

.Environmentally Acceptable*
 Cyclic Injection

Add Biocide Add Biocide

Action
Indicator

Level

Biofilm Growth

Time