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The role of a biofilm and its characteristics in Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion of steel

Jhobalia, Chintan M.

Abstract Details

2004, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Chemical Engineering (Engineering).

A class of anaerobic bacteria, sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), is able to survive by deriving energy from reducing sulfates to sulfides. Sulfides produced as a consequence are very harmful to iron and steel structures. Uncontrolled SRB growth in oilfield operations often leads to severe corrosion problems.

Current mitigation methods for Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC)mostly rely on toxic biocides. To develop new simpler and safer mitigation methods we need to develop an understanding of the SRB biofilms.

This work studied the physical characteristics of SRB biofilms to develop a clearer understanding of the role played by the SRB biofilms in the corrosion of iron and steel. The ATCC 7757 strain of Desulfovibrio desulfuricanswas used in this work. It is a common SRB species.

Removal of a key nutrient from the system will restrict the cell growth and hence control corrosion. It was found that the absence of sulfates stops the growth of SRB. Removing the sulfates will thus help control bacterial growth in the system.

Effect of temperature on SRB growth was studied in the range of 5 °C to 37 °C. The growth rate and corrosion rate are much slower at 25 °C than at 37 °C.

The effect of dissolved iron on the nature and extent of corrosion is important. Experiments with different initial Fe 2+concentrations revealed that intermediate concentrations affect the corrosion process most by causing localized attacks on the metal surface.

Flow restricts the bacterial adhesion process on the metal surface and increases the transfer of chemical species to and from the metal surface. The SRB biocorrosion process was found to be accelerated with moderate flows as compared to stagnant conditions. Also, more uniform corrosion was observed under flowing conditions than under stagnant conditions.

Studies were performed at various concentrations of glutaraldehyde for its effectiveness in controlling SRB growth. The lowest effective lethal concentration of glutaraldehyde was 50 ppm at a low initial planktonic SRB cell concentration of 100 cells/ml in the medium. This work was the starting point for the follow-up biocide enhancer study performed by other students in our research group.

Tingyue Gu (Advisor)
65 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Jhobalia, C. M. (2004). The role of a biofilm and its characteristics in Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion of steel [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1176405846

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Jhobalia, Chintan. The role of a biofilm and its characteristics in Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion of steel. 2004. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1176405846.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Jhobalia, Chintan. "The role of a biofilm and its characteristics in Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion of steel." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1176405846

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)