The influence of the internal microbiome on the materials used for construction of the transmission natural gas pipelines in the Lodz Province

¹ Lodz University of Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Division of Technical Microbiology, 171/173 Wólczańska Str., 90-924 Łódź, Poland
² Lodz University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Automation, Biomechanics and Mechatronics, 1/15 Stefanowskiego Str., 90-924 Łódź, Poland

^⁎ Corresponding author: 800075@edu.p.lodz.pl

Abstract

This paper presents investigation results of the influence of gas microbes on the biocorrosion rate of the materials used for gas pipelines construction in the Lodz Province. Samples of two types of carbon steel and cast iron were stored in the laboratory pipeline model reflecting the real conditions of working natural gas pipelines were. In the next step the influence of cathodic protection with parameters recommended for protection of underground structures was tested. Analyses of biological corrosion products generated on the test surface were carried out using a scanning electron microscope with an X-ray analyzer. The level of ATP was measured to confirm presence of the adsorbed microorganisms on the observed structures. Corrosion rates were determined by gravimetric methods. In the course of the study it was revealed that the rate of biocorrosion of steel is lower than that for cast iron. Our results also proved that the weight corrosion rate depends on the number of adhered microorganisms. In addition, it has been found that application of the carbon steel cathodic protection decreases its weight corrosion rate. The information obtained will help to increase the knowledge on the rate of biological corrosion causing losses/pits inside gas pipline.