ВЛИЯНИЕ АНОЛИТА И КАТОЛИТА НА ЖИЗНЕДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТЬ МИКРОФЛОРЫ И МИКРОФАУНЫ НЕФТЯНЫХ МЕСТОРОЖДЕНИЙ

Abstract

Background Currently, a significant portion of the oil fields is infected with microorganisms which are present both in the aqueous and oil phases of emulsions. The presence of microorganisms promotes activation of electrochemical processes of corrosion destruction of the inner surface of oilfield equipment. Corrosion processes may involve representatives of microflora and microfauna, which, directly or indirectly, cause the appearance of microbiological corrosion points and provoke biofouling of metal, and the biofouling is one of the main factors in the development of colonies of microorganisms being a corrosion hazard. One of the effective ways to reduce the significance of microbiological factor in the process fluid is the use of biocides. However, high world prices for raw materials needed to manufacture biocides, as well as high toxicity of the reagents require searching for alternative methods of suppressing the vital activity of oil field microflora and microfauna. Aims and Objectives In order to study methods of suppressing vital activity of oil-field microflora and microfauna the species composition of dominant microorganisms must be determined. Effect of anolyte and catholyte solutions on the viability of microbial cells requires the analysis of their impact on specific classes of microflora and microfauna. Methods Limiting dilution of sulfate-reducing bacteria, proximate slide tests and lumen metering, as well as visual counting of aerobic microorganisms were used as methods of research. Specially prepared model formation water infected with certain cultures of microorganisms was used for laboratory tests. Results Studies have shown that the effective suppression of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms requires that anolyte solution with a concentration of more than 20 % be added to the process liquid. The starting anolyte solution should have a pH value between 4.0 and 4.5 and the redox potential Eh in the range of 350 to 400 mV. Here, the allowable number of anaerobic microorganisms ­ 102 cells/ml, and aerobic ones ­ 103 cells/ml is achieved. With such concentration of microorganisms anolyte changes the parameters of the field medium to pH values within the range from 5.0 to 5.5, and the values of Eh from 250 to 300 mV. Thus, the use of reagent-free method of suppressing the life activity of the oilfield microflora and microfauna is highly effective and safe for workers and the environment.