Corrosion of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria on L245 Steel under Different Carbon Source Conditions

Abstract

Objective Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) pose a threat to the safe operation of shale-gas-gathering pipelines. Therefore, it is essential to explore the role played by SRB in dedicated pipelines. Methods In this work, the corrosion behavior of SRB was investigated by organic carbon starvation immersion experiments combined with cell number monitoring, corrosion weight loss recordings, morphology and profile observations and electrochemical measurements. Results In experiments with sodium lactate content ranging from 0–3500 ppm, the corrosion rate and pitting depth were the highest at 350 ppm. Conclusions The results indicated that the reduction in carbon sources leads to bacterial starvation, which directly obtains electrons from metals and exacerbates corrosion. It is not appropriate to use the content of bacteria to determine the strength of bacterial corrosion.