This paper reports a laboratory-based
case study for the characterization
of deposits from a crude cooler and reboilers in a Saudi Aramco refinery
by microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) using microbial, metallurgic,
and special analyses and correlates the Rietveld quantitative phase
analysis of high-resolution X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) data of
scale deposits with microbe compositions. Therefore, rapid in-field
microbiological assays could be carried out to assess the potential
of MIC. Based on the results, it can be highlighted that the MIC investigation
showed that total bacteria and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were
detected in all sampling locations. Methanogens, acid-producing bacteria,
and sulfate-reducing archaea were not detected in all samples. Iron-oxidizing
bacteria (IOB) were detected in the solid samples from reboilers C
and D. Low loads of general bacteria and low levels of microbes with
MIC potential were detected in both C and D samples. The trace amount
of corrosion products in one sample and the low level of MIC microbes
cannot justify the contribution of MIC microbes in the formation of
accumulated solids in the system. The findings recommend conducting
frequent sampling and analysis including water, oil, and solid from
upstream locations to have more decisive evidence of the likelihood
of the scale formation and possible contribution of MIC in the formation
of deposits in the plant. Subsequently, quantitative phase analysis
of XRD data of scale deposits by the Rietveld method revealed that
the major phase is calcium sulfate in the form of anhydrate and the
minor phases are calcium carbonate in the form of calcite and aragonite,
silicon oxide in the form of quartz, and iron oxide corrosion product
in the form of magnetite. The results are supported by high-resolution
wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) results. These accurate
and reproducible X-ray crystallography findings obtained from Rietveld
quantitative phase analysis can guide the field engineers at the refineries
and gas plants to overcome the problems of the affected equipment
by drawing up the right procedures and taking preventive actions to
stop the generation of these particular deposits.