The differences in the corrosion product compositions of Methanogen-induced microbiologically influenced corrosion (Mi-MIC) between static and dynamic growth conditions

Currently, corrosion rates (CR) and/or corrosion products (CP) obtained for methanogen-induced microbiologically influenced corrosion (Mi-MIC) on carbon steel are mainly analyzed from static-incubations. By using a multiport-flow-column, much higher CRs (0.72 mm/yr) were observed, indicating static-incubations are not suitable for determining the corrosive potential of Mi-MIC. With the combination of various analytical methods (ToF-SIMS/SEM-EDS/SEM-FIB) and contrary to previously published data, we observed that CPs contained phosphorus, oxygen, magnesium, calcium and iron but lacked carbon-related species (e.g. siderite). Overall, siderite nucleation is disrupted by methanogens, as they convert aqueous bicarbonate into carbon dioxide for methanogenesis resulting in increased localized corrosion.

Automated summary

The corrosive potential of methanogen-induced microbiologically influenced corrosion on carbon steel is not suitable for determining through static-incubations, as higher corrosion rates were observed using a multiport-flow-column. Contrary to previous data, the corrosion products contain various elements but lack carbon-related species, and the disruption of siderite nucleation by methanogens results in increased localized corrosion.