INVESTIGATION OF THE PROCESS PARAMETERS IMPLICATED FOR BIOCORROSION CONTROL IN OIL INDUSTRIES.

Abstract

Interaction with the corrosion products to prevent natural film forming characteristics on the corroding metals that would inhibit further corrosion was studied. Four treatments were used for the study to compare the biofilm clusters on steel coupons treated with the chemicals presently used by the petroleum industries to control corrosion. Process parameters considered were weight loss of the respective steel coupons treated and the bacterial growth on the corroding substrate The treatment used for this study are formaldehyde, polyamine, diamine and biguanide. Steel coupons used for the experiment is rectangular AMS mild steel coupons with dimension of 1.27cm x 7.62cm x 0.16cm and weighs  49.60g. The coupons were placed in the experimental pipes. The coupons were degreased with ethanol and rinsed with acetone before insertion. The pipes were run in a circulation mode for one day (1 day) under anaerobic condition and then inoculated. MATLAB computational software was used for the determining the rate of metal removal using the conventional weight loss equation. Results revealed that the weight loss in the coupon treated with biagunides is 0.9g during the period under study which can be assumed negligible compared to the losses in encountered in other coupons subjected to the rest of the treatment with trendline equation of y = -3exp-13x⁵+6exp-13x⁴ -3exp-07x³+7exp-05x²+0.004x+0.122. Equations generated for the bacteria activities was observed to have polynomial functions in all the chemicals used for the control though of various degrees.