(447k) Green Biocide Enhancers Enhanced the Biocide Inhibition of the Growth of Sulfate Reducing Bacteria

Billions of dollars are lost each year to various forms of corrosion in many industries. Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) or biocorrosion is a major problem in the oil and gas industry. Sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) have been most frequently implicated in MIC of steels and other iron containing alloys including carbon steels and even stainless steels. Existing mitigation methods rely mostly on biocides and biostats that either kill planktonic bacteria or inhibit their growth at low concentrations. Much higher concentrations are required to remove established biofilms. Microorganisms are capable of developing resistances after prolonged uses of biocides. Environmental and safety concerns on biocide uses are becoming more restrictive making their field applications more and more costly. Reduced and more effective uses of biocides are becoming highly desirable. A new class of nontoxic and biodegradable biocide enhancers was found to be effective in enhancing glutaraldehyde and Tetrakis Hydroxymethyl Phosphonium Sulfate (THPS) in their inhibition of planktonic and sessile SRB grwoth. In this study, Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (ATCC strain 14563) was used. It is a marine strain SRB. Laboratory experiments were carried out in 100 ml anaerobic vials. Enriched artificial seawater was used as culture medium.