Potency and Implications of Bacteria Growth, H2S and FeS Production in Microbially Induced Corrosion of Oil Pipelines using Selected Biocides

Abstract

In this study, the potency and implications of bacteria growth, H₂S and FeS production in microbially induced corrosion of oil pipelines were done using 5 biocides. Hydrogenase test was carried out and used to detect the presence of micro-organism that causes corrosion in the pipeline samples. The biocides were then compared to ascertain how efficiently they can curb the proliferation of bacteria in experimental set-up filled with a bacterial cultured agar using anaerobic medium. Generally, it was found that there use led to reduction in bacteria growth, less and less of iron sulfide and hydrogen sulfide as the concentration and duration of experimentation increases. Specifically, it was found that while cow urine and biaguanide terminate their iron sulfide production after 5^th and 6^th week, respectively, others continue throughout the 13 week experimentation period. Similarly, cow urine and biaguanide terminate their hydrogen sulfide production after 3^rd and 5^th, respectively, others continued throughout. Altogether, 10 exponential trendline equations were formulated for iron sulfide and hydrogen sulfide production. R² goodness-of-fit statistical technique was employed in the analysis for future predictions from the model and the values obtained in each case is close to 1 which indicates a good measure that future outcomes are very likely to be predicted well by the developed equations.

Keywords: Biocides, Microbial Corrosion, Hydrogen Sulphide, Iron Sulphide, Bacteria Growth