Specification of sulfate reducing bacteria biofilms accumulation effects on corrosion initiation

Abstract

AbstractThe accumulation process of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) biofilms established in anaerobic stagnant batch bioreactors on the surface of carbon steel and the nutrient transport and corrosion products distribution in it were characterized by X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). In addition, the corrosion occurrence and development of carbon steel under SRB biofilm was investigated by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) in‐situ. The results show that the thickness of SRB biofilms increases exponentially with time in the beginning and after 14 days reaches a maximum. From then on, the accumulation rate decreases to zero. In mature biofilms, SRB dispersed throughout the biofilm. In the inner layer near the substrate, due to the high sulfate‐reducing activity of SRB, corrosion products such S2−, H2S and organic acid are present, which lead to corrosion occurrence and development. In the outer layer of the biofilm SRB can also reduce the SO2−4 to SO2−3 and S2O2−3. This metabolism process enhances the Fe2+ transfer from the inner to the outer side. The activity of SRB in the biofilm plays a key role in the initial corrosion process.