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INVESTIGATING MICROBIOLOGICALLY INFLUENCED CORROSION USING THE ZERO-RESISTANCE AMMETRY TECHNIQUE IN A SPLIT CELL FORMAT

Miller, Robert B, II

Abstract Details

2019, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Biology.
This dissertation is comprised of six chapters. Chapter 1 provides a background and introduction to microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). Chapter 1 describes the techniques used by gas/oil industry to monitor or detect MIC. Chapter 1 explains challenges of using such techniques. For example, nucleic acid techniques lack any information regarding corrosion, while some electrochemical approaches fail to identify MIC in a timely manner. Some electrochemical techniques may also fail to provide any mechanistic details of MIC. Chapter 2 was written and formatted for the journal Public Library of Science One (PLoS One). The article was accepted and published in January 2016. Chapter 2 investigates the role of Shewanella oneidensis in the corrosion of carbon steel under aerobic and static conditions. A novel mechanism of corrosion is presented in which carbon steel exposed to direct contact with S. oneidensis biofilm is protected from corrosion, while uncovered steel adjacent to the biofilm-covered steel suffers accelerated corrosion. Oxygen respiration by S. oneidensis limits the corrosion of the biofilm-covered carbon steel by limiting the oxygen reduction reaction. The uncovered steel becomes a net anode, resulting in its corrosion. Chapter 3 was written and formatted for the Applied and Environmental Microbiology Journal. It was accepted and published on April 13, 2018. Chapter 3 builds on the utilization of the ZRA in a split cell set up. The experiments were conducted under nitrate-reducing conditions. This research highlights problems that may arise after using nitrate as a method of controlling corrosion and fuel souring. These practices are commonly employed in the gas and oil fields. This research identifies a major mechanism of MIC being driven by two reactions. The first reaction responsible for MIC is heterogenous cathodic protection of the steel surface by nitrite. Microbial oxidation of Fe(0) in the steel was the second reaction responsible for MIC. Chapter 4 is written and formatted for Corrosion Science. Chapter 4 investigated MIC occurring at the biodiesel-water interface under long-term storage conditions. ZRA in split-cell set-up and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were both used to investigate how microbial isolates were able to alter the electrochemistry of the biodiesel-water interface. This research is particularly relevant to any industry using a non-aqueous/aqueous mixture. Chapter 4 showed elevated current, general corrosion, and pitting corrosion in incubations containing the isolates Byssochlamys sp. SW2 or Yarrowia lipolytica. The ZRA accurately predicted uniform corrosion, while the EIS accurately predicted the pitting corrosion. The EIS also illustrated the filamentous fungi Byssochlamys increasing water uptake into the biodiesel layer. Chapter 5 is written and formatted for Electrochimica Acta. Chapter 5 utilizes the ZRA technique in the same glass chamber containing biodiesel and water. Electrodes were arranged at different depths to investigate current and potential at the biodiesel-water interface. A 114-day experiment was conducted containing multiple electrodes that were arranged at different depths in the biodiesel-water column in order to determine if fungal filaments could travel from the interface into the fuel layer. The multiple electrode experiment showed as fungal hyphae migrated into the fuel layer, current (transfer of electrons) was detected between the working electrode in water and the electrode in the biodiesel. The highlight of this research article is the novel mechanism of MIC in which fungal hyphae migration from water into the fuel layer acting a salt bridge, resulting in large observed currents. Coupons with the highest currents had the highest ATP, uniform corrosion, and pitting corrosion.
John Senko, PhD (Advisor)
Chelsea Monty, PhD (Advisor)
Donald Ott, PhD (Committee Member)
Hazel Barton, PhD (Committee Member)
Zhou Qixin, PhD (Committee Member)
185 p.

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Citations

  • Miller, II, R. B. (2019). INVESTIGATING MICROBIOLOGICALLY INFLUENCED CORROSION USING THE ZERO-RESISTANCE AMMETRY TECHNIQUE IN A SPLIT CELL FORMAT [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron15743759679032

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Miller, II, Robert. INVESTIGATING MICROBIOLOGICALLY INFLUENCED CORROSION USING THE ZERO-RESISTANCE AMMETRY TECHNIQUE IN A SPLIT CELL FORMAT. 2019. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron15743759679032.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Miller, II, Robert. "INVESTIGATING MICROBIOLOGICALLY INFLUENCED CORROSION USING THE ZERO-RESISTANCE AMMETRY TECHNIQUE IN A SPLIT CELL FORMAT." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron15743759679032

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)