MICROBIALLY INFLUENCED CORROSION

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.

The Sulphur Cycle

There are many types of SRB

Genus
Desulfovibrio, Desulfotomaculum, Desulfobulbus,
Desulfobacter, Desulfococus, Desulfosarcina,
Desulfobacterium, Desulfonema
.
Cell forms
Curved, rod-shaped, oval, spherical, cell packets, filamentous
Dimensions
Length 1 5 1m
Diameter 0.2 2 1m
Optimum growth temperature
30 70 C (depends on species)

Nutritional Requirements for SRB

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
Trace elements (e. g. P, N)
Common requirement for all living organisms
Source: produced water, seawater, ground water
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 2040 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.
SRB and corrosion
There are many theories on how SRB influence corrosion
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.
An SRB monitoring programme may attempt to cover:
SRB numbers/activity
Sulphide concentration
Metal surface condition
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:
The presence of a correctly applied Belzona protective coating
will definitely prevent Microbially Influenced Corrosion