Standards for MIC Management in Engineered Systems

Abstract

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is an integrity threat to engineered assets in many sectors, including drinking water, waste water treatment, industrial cooling water, chemical processing and energy production, transmission, and distribution systems in which water is present. Management of corrosion threats, including MIC, is best addressed through the use of a corrosion management system that comprehensively serves to identify and mitigate threats, as described by NACE International and ISO standards. In the last decade, the use of molecular microbiological methods (MMM) has helped asset owners and operators gain new insights into MIC susceptibility and improve their ability to manage MIC. Industry consensus standards have guided the implementation of MMM in various assets, particularly the oil and gas industry. Several new standards are currently being developed that further help advance the use of MMM, and other international initiatives are underway to broaden the exposure of these tools to more end users. These molecular tools and standards will help achieve the goals of increasing sustainable use of resources and development of clean energy to reduce the carbon emissions. To achieve these goals, asset managers will require young smart minds and well-developed, state-of-the-art consensus standards to drive reduction of operating risk, help extend asset life, and move the engineered environment toward greater sustainability.