Table Of ContentEuropean Federation of Corrosion
Publications
NUMBER 8
Microbial Corrosion
Proceedings of the 2nd EFC Workshop
Portugal, 1991
Edited by
C. A. C . SEQUEIRA
Instituto Superior TPchnico, Technical University of Lisbon, 1096 Lisbon Codex
and
A. K . TILLER
National Corrosion Service, National Physical Laboratory,
Teddington, Middlesex TW11 OL W, UK
Published for the European Federation of Corrosion
by The Institute of Materials
THE INSTITUTE OF MATERIALS
1992
Book Number 526
Published in 1992 by The Institute of Materials
1 Carlton House Terrace, London SWlY 5DB
0 1992 The Institute of Materials
All rights reserved
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Available on request
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Available on application
ISBN 0-9017 16-08-1
Technical illustration by Paul Burnell
Colour origination by Chroma Graphics, Singapore
Design and production by
P i c A Publishing Services, Drayton, Nr Abingdon, Oxon
Colour plates printed by Bourne Press Ltd, Bournemouth
Printed and bound in Great Britain by
Bell & Bain Ltd, Glasgow
Preface
This publication contains papers presented at the 2nd Workshop on Microbial
Corrosion held in Sesimbra, Portugal, in March 1991. The programme was organised
by the EFC Working Party on this subject, who invited leading researchers, scientists
and engineers working in selected areas of the subject to submit contributions which
would highlight the progress made since the last workshop, held in 1988. The
Organising Committee also ensured that these contributions represented current
trends and understanding of both a fundamental nature and of practical value to the
industrial community, thus creating an improved awareness of the problem.
The event was co-sponsored by JNICT (Junta Nacional de Investigaqzo e
Cientifica e Tecnol6gica).
This approach is reflected in the depth and breadth of the subject areas covered by
the meeting and there can be little doubt that topical controversial issues were
debated. It should give insight into the current thinking and methods used by
researchers and engineers working in many fields. The practical problems and
theoretical aspects of the subject are discussed. Metallurgical considerations, effect of
environments, the role which biofilms play in the problem are also highlighted. The
progress made in analytical procedures and rapid test methods have been covered,
together with laboratory procedures for evaluating biocide performance. These, in
some cases, are compared and contrasted with field and in-service techniques where
the variable parameters of the environment are often unpredictable. The case
histories presented give a clear indication of the nature and extent of the problems
which can arise and confirm that both ferrous and non-ferrous metals are vulnerable.
The importance of understanding the nature and chemistry of biofilms associated
with these problems is particularly well defined.
In addition to the above interests, it was gratifying to receive a number of
contributions concerned with the bio-deterioration of ancient monuments and archi-
tecture. The reader will note that there is a similarity in the methodology and
mechanism of degradation of these materials with those reported for metallic sys-
tems.
Expert systems and databases are being developed in several areas of corrosion
science and technology, including microbial corrosion. The one presented in this
publication should enable engineers to acquire rapid knowledge and understanding
of the subject and provide advice on how to control and prevent it.
An objective of this publication is, as in the case of the workshop, to present
material which is both timely and, it is hoped, timeless, so that the future may be built
from the experience of the past.
A. K. Tiller
Chairman, European Federation of Corrosion Working Pary on Microbial Corrosion
European Federation of Corrosion Publications
Series Introduction
The EFC, incorporated in Belgium, was founded in 1955 with the purpose of promoting
European co-operation in the fields of research into corrosion and corrosion prevention.
Membership is based upon participation by corrosion societies and committees in
technical Working Parties. Member societies appoint delegates to Working Parties, whose
membership is expanded by personal corresponding membership.
The activities of the Working Parties cover corrosion topics associated with inhibition,
education, reinforcement in concrete, microbial effects, hot gases and combustion prod-
ucts, environment sensitive fracture, marine environments, surface science, physico-
chemical methods of measurement, the nuclear industry, computer based information
systems and corrosion in the oil and gas industry. Working Parties on other topics are
established as required.
The Working Parties function in various ways, e.g. by preparing reports, organising
symposia, conducting intensive courses and producing instructional material, including
films. The activities of the Working Parties are co-ordinated, through a Science and
Technology Advisory Committee, by the Scientific Secretary.
The administration of the EFC is handled by three Secretariats: DECHEMA in Ger-
many, the Soci6t6 de Chimie Industrielle in France, and the Institute of Materials in the
United Kingdom. These three Secretariats meet at the Board of Administrators of the EFC.
There is an annual General Assembly at which delegates from all member societies meet
to determine and approve EFC policy. News of EFC activities, forthcoming conferences,
courses etc. is published in a range of accredited corrosion and certain other journals
throughout Europe. More detailed descriptions of activities are given in a Newsletter
prepared by the Scientific Secretary.
The output of the EFC takes various forms. Papers on particular topics, for example,
reviews or results of experimental work, may be published in scientific and technical
journals in one or more countries in Europe. Conference proceedings are often published
by the organisation responsible for the conference.
In 1987, the then, Institute of Materials was appointed as the official EFC publisher.
Although the arrangement is non-exclusive and other routes for publication are still
available, it is expected that the Working Parties of the EFC will use The Institute of
Materials for publication of reports, proceedings etc. wherever possible.
The name of The Institute of Metals was changed to The Institute of Materials with effect
from 1J anuary 1992.T his follows the agreement upon the merger of the Institute with The
Plastics and Rubber Institute and The Institute of Ceramics. The complete integration of
PRI and I. Ceram. within the Institute of Materials is expected by the end of 1992, though
as at January 1992,b oth these bodies still exist independently. The address, main telephone
and fax numbers and VAT numbers are unchanged.
A. D. Mercer
EFC Scientific Secretary,
Insti tute of Materials, London U.K
Series lntroduction
EFC Secretariats are located at:
Mr R Wood
European Federation of Corrosion, The Institute of Materials, 1 Carlton House Terrace,
London, SWlY 5DB, UK
Mr R Mas
Fkdkration Europeene de la Corrosion, Societe de Chimie Industrielle 28 rue Saint-Dominique,
F-75007 Paris, FRANCE
Dr D Behrens
Europaische Foderation Korrosion
DECHEMA, Theodor-Heuss-Allee 25, D-6000 Frankfurt (M), GERMANY
ix
Proceedings of the Second European Federation of Corrosion Workshop
on Microbial Corrosion held in Sesimbra, Portugal, 3-6 March 1991, and
co-sponsored by JNICT (Junta Nacional de Investigaqiio e Cientifica e
Tecnol6gica).
X
Contents
..,
Series In trod uction Vl l l
Preface xi
CONFERENCE INTRODUCTION
1. Metallic Corrosion and Microbes 1
A. K . Tiller
MECHANISM
2. Electrical Aspects of the Metal/Solution Interface 9
C. A. C. Sequeira
3, Biofouling and MIC Interactions in the Marine Environment: 18
An Overview
R. G. J . Edyvean and H. A. Videla
4. Electrochemical and Corrosion Behaviour of Passive and 33
Fouled Metallic Materials in Seawater
G. Salvago, G. Fumagalli, G. Taccani, P. Cristiani
and G. Rocchini
5. From Biology and Corrosion to Biocorrosion 50
J.-L. Crolet
METALLURGIFCAACLT ORS
6 . Attachment of Pseudomonas fluorexens and Desulfovibrio 61
desulfuricans to Mild and Stainless Steel - First Step in
Biofilm Formation
I . B. Beech and C. C. Gaylarde
7.M etallurgical Factors Affecting the Resistance of 300 Series 67
Stainless Steel to Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion
A. A. Stein
8. The Importance of Metallurgical Factors on Microbial 81
Influenced Corrosion
J . C. Danko
Proceedings of 2nd EFC Workshop on Microbial Corrosion
ANALYTICAL
9. Biosensors for Assessing Corrosion in Living Media 92
M . T . B . M . Carvalhos and C. A. C. Sequeira
10. Voltammetric Methods for Characterizing Specific Bio&cal 120
Species in Solution
L. P. S. Araujo and C. A. C . Sequeira
11. A Simple Scanning Electron Microscopy Method for Preliminary 139
Assessment of the Biocide Treatment on Removal of SRB-Biofilms
1. B. Beech, D.A. Moreno and C. Ranninger
12. Use of Ion Chromatography in Microbiologically Influenced 146
Corrosion Studies
D. Feron, V. Ferrante and S . Le Cavelier
EXPERIMENTAL
13. New Types of Corrosion Caused by Organic Membranes 155
W .F ischer, D. Wagner and H . H . Paradies
14. Effects of Biofilms on Metal Corrosion 165
A. Pedersen, G. Hernandez-Duque, D. Thierry
and M . Hermansson
15. Characterization of Metal Biofilm Interactions 168
by Extended Absorption Fine Structure Spectroscopy
H. H . Paradies, W.R. Fischer, 1. Haenbel and D. Wagner
16. Simulation and Control of Copper Pipework Corrosion 189
Using a Laboratory Chemostat Model
J. T . Walker, P. J . Dennis and C. W.K eevil
CONTROL
17. Corrosion Control Using Continuous Residual Chlorine 198
in Water Injection Systems
P. F . Sanders and D. L . Robinson
18. Biocorrosion by Sulphate Reducing Bacteria: 210
Growth Inhibition By Aldehydes, Metronidazole and
Organo-Sulphur Derivatives
A. R. Lino, R. Franco, B . Barata, M . A. S . Pereira, M . A. M . Reis,
J . M . Carvalho, M . J . T . Carrondo, J . LeGall and J . J . G. Moura
19. Interactions Between Marine Microbiological Fouling and 213
Cathodic Protection Scale
A. D. Maines, L. V .E vans and R. G. J . Edyvean
vi
Cont ents
CASEH ISTORIES
20. The Importance of Environmental Factors in 221
Microbially-Influenced Corrosion: Part I.
Electrode Geometry and Electrolyte Flow
S. A. Campbell and F . C . Walsh
21. The Importance of Environmental Factors in 228
Microbially-Influenced Corrosion: Part 2.
Magnetic Field Effects
A. S. Bahaj, S . A. Campbell, F. C . Walsh and J . F. D. Stott
22. The Role of Bacteria in the Graphitic Corrosion of Buried 235
Ductile Cast Iron Pipes
K . Kasahara and F . Kajiyama
23. First Results of a Field Experiment in a County Hospital 243
in Germany Concerning the Copper Deterioration by Microbially
Induced Corrosion
D. Wagner, W. Fischer and H . H . Paradies
NON-METALLMIACTE RIALS
24. Microbial Biodeterioration of Stone in Historic-Artistic 262
Monuments
M . Flores, C. Fernandez and M . Barbdchano
25. The Microbial Corrosion of Limestone, Plaster, Metals and 266
Metal-containing Pigments in Architectural Monuments
Ju.P . Petushkoua and N . N . Lyalikoua
26. A Case Study of the Corrosion of Stone by Lichens: 275
The Mosaics of the Roman Remains of Italica
J . Garcia-Rowe and C . Saiz-Jimenez
EXPERTS YSTEMS
27. The ACHILLES Expert System on Corrosion and Protection: 282
Its use in Microbial Corrosion Consultations
D.R. Holmes, N. R. Smart and A. K. Tiller
vii
MC 1
Metallic Corrosion and Microbes
A. K . TILLER
National Corrosion Service, National Physical Laboratory, Teddington, Middlesex, TWl l OLW, UK
Abstract
Microbially-induced corrosion is the result of the colonisation of metallic surfaces and
the subsequent formation of biofilms. The chemistry and microbiology of these films
have an important effect on corrosion behaviour and will often influence the nature,
extent, magnitude and type of corrosion which occurs. For example, in addition to the
general and localised pitting corrosion which can be stimulated by the production of
inorganic and organic acids during the metabolism of certain micro-organisms, the
ecosystems and the chemistry contained in bacterial exopolymers can encourage
stress corrosion cracking and hydrogen embrittlement.
All the engineering alloys in general use, with a few exceptions, are susceptible to
some form of microbial corrosion. Proper diagnosis is therefore important if costly
down-time is to be avoided. Although a wide and diverse range of biochemical and
electrochemical diagnostic techniques are available, from a practical engineering
point of view these tend to be time consuming. Rapid diagnosis is, therefore, often
required at the time of failure, and in order for this to be achieved an awareness of the
various characteristics and morphology of the corrosion damage sustained by plant
is required. In this paper some of the important aspects of these issues are considered
in the context of practical corrosion engineering.
1. Introduction
Considerable progress has been made in the past decade in developing an under-
standing of the factors influencing microbially induced corrosion, and the volume of
research literature reflects the substantial international effort that has been devoted
to the problem. This has required the application of existing electrochemical and
biochemical techniques and the development of new ones. Rapid detection of bacteria
present in a system can now be achieved by using epifluorescence microscopy,
radiorespirometry gene probes, adenosine triphosphate photometry and immunoassay
(ELISA) techniques. Similarly, interference reflection microscopy (IRM) has been
used successfully for identifying the sites of bacterial adhesion and the subsequent
development of biofilms. The availability of more sophisticated electrochemical
techniques, such as electrical noise and AC impedence measurement and the de-
velopment of enzyme and biosensors, has provided the engineering and scientific
community with a wide and diverse range of diagnostic procedures. These devel-
opments and improvements have tended to benefit mainly the research worker and
consultant involved in failure analysis, and there would appear to be little awareness
of the problem of microbial corrosion within the engineering community. In particular
there is a lack of knowledge of some of the empirical procedures which will allow
maintenance and plant engineers to identify and diagnose the problem quickly.
In this paper, some of the characteristics of microbial corrosion are considered in
the context of problems which may arise with many of the engineering alloys in use
today.
1
