Effect of copper addition in carbon steel on biocorrosion by sulfate-reducing bacteria in solution

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the anti-biocorrosion performance and mechanism of the Cu-bearing carbon steel in the environment containing sulfate-reducing bacterial (SRB). Design/methodology/approach The biocorrosion behavior of specimens with Cu concentration of 0 Wt.%, 0.1 Wt.%, 0.3 Wt.% and 0.6 Wt.% were investigated by immersion test in SRB solution. By examining the prepared cross-section of the biofilm using focused ion beam microscopy, SRB distribution, bacterial morphology, biofilm structure and composition were determined. The ion selectivity of the biofilm was also obtained by membrane potential measurement. Moreover, the anti-biocorrosion performance of the Cu-bearing carbon steel pipeline was tested in a shale gas field in Chongqing, China. Findings Both the results of the laboratory test and shale gas field test indicate that Cu-bearing carbon steel possesses obvious resistance to microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). The SRB, corrosion rate and pitting depth decreased dramatically with Cu concentration in the substrate. The local acidification caused by hydrolyze of ferric ion coming from SRB metabolism and furtherly aggravated by anion selectivity biofilm promoted the pitting corrosion. Anti-biocorrosion of Cu-bearing carbon steel was attributed to the accumulation of Cu compounds in the biofilm and the weaker anion selectivity of the biofilm. This research results provide an approach to the development of economical antibacterial metallic material. Originality/value MIC occurs extensively and has become one of the most frequent reasons for corrosion-induced failure in the oil and gas industry. In this study, Cu-bearing carbon steel was obtained by Cu addition in carbon steel and possessed excellent anti-biocorrosion property both in the laboratory and shale gas field. This study provides an approach to the development of an economical antibacterial carbon steel pipeline to resist MIC.

Effect of Nano-sized Cu-Rich Phase on Microbiological Corrosion Behavior of Cu and Ni-Added Steel for Oil Country Tubular Goods

“…The result is different from our present and previous studies. [12][13][14]19) Yu et al 16,17) and Huang et al 20) also reported that the Cu-bearing carbon steel exhibited strong antibacterial activity against SRB. This is also confirmed recently by study of Fan et al 22) Their results showed that MIC resistance of the Cu-bearing pipeline steel was better than those of X70 and Cr-bearing steels.…”

“…To solve the MIC trouble of pipelines used in oil/gas exploitation and transportation, various mitigation countermeasures such as physical and chemical approach, 7) protective coatings, 8,9) biological competition, 10,11) and antibacterial steel pipe have been developed. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Among them, antibacterial steel pipe is a new strategy to mitigate MIC from the aspect of material itself, having the characteristics of long-term durability. [12][13][14] By proper Cu alloying design to the traditional pipeline steels, aiming at continuous release of Cu ions to kill the bacteria and inhibit the formation of bacterial biofilm, a creative strategy for improving the MIC resistance of pipeline steels has been proposed.…”

“…[12][13][14] By proper Cu alloying design to the traditional pipeline steels, aiming at continuous release of Cu ions to kill the bacteria and inhibit the formation of bacterial biofilm, a creative strategy for improving the MIC resistance of pipeline steels has been proposed. 15) Yu et al 16,17) reported that a Cu-added L245NCS steel with 0.6 wt.% Cu content exhibited strong antibacterial activity against sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB). These results were not only confirmed under the laboratory condition but also in the shale gas field environment.…”

Preparation, anticorrosion and antifouling behavior of halloysite-loaded nanocomposite with CAP and BTA

“…Since then, some environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors have attracted a lot of attention, such as benzotriazole (BTA, C 6 H 5 N 3 ) (Xiong et al , 2022), 8-hydroxyquinoline (C 9 H 7 NO), 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (C 7 H 5 NS 2 ) and some other natural product inhibitors (Ma et al , 2022). Capsaicin derivatives (CAP, C 18 H 27 NO 3 ), isothiazolinone derivatives (C 11 H 17 C l2 NOS) and quinoline alkaloids (C 20 H 16 N 2 O 4 ) extracted from pepper have significant effects on the prevention and control of marine biological corrosion and will not cause any impact on marine ecology (Gabe et al , 2021; Hao et al , 2020; Yu et al , 2022). However, the direct addition of a corrosion inhibitor to the coating will cause an explosion in the early stages, leaving holes in the coating, resulting in a serious decline in the later anticorrosion efficiency (Zuo et al , 2019).…”