Anaerobic Biodegradation of Alternative Fuels and Associated Biocorrosion of Carbon Steel in Marine Environments

Abstract

Fuels that biodegrade too easily can exacerbate through-wall pitting corrosion of pipelines and tanks and result in unintentional environmental releases. We tested the biological stability of two emerging naval biofuels (camelina-JP5 and Fischer-Tropsch-F76) and their potential to exacerbate carbon steel corrosion in seawater incubations with and without a hydrocarbon-degrading sulfate-reducing bacterium. The inclusion of sediment or the positive control bacterium in the incubations stimulated a similar pattern of sulfate reduction with different inocula. However, the highest rates of sulfate reduction were found in incubations amended with camelina-JP5 [(57.2 ± 2.2)-(80.8 ± 8.1) μM/day] or its blend with petroleum-JP5 (76.7 ± 2.4 μM/day). The detection of a suite of metabolites only in the fuel-amended incubations confirmed that alkylated benzene hydrocarbons were metabolized via known anaerobic mechanisms. Most importantly, general (r(2) = 0.73) and pitting (r(2) = 0.69) corrosion were positively correlated with sulfate loss in the incubations. Thus, the anaerobic biodegradation of labile fuel components coupled with sulfate respiration greatly contributed to the biocorrosion of carbon steel. While all fuels were susceptible to anaerobic metabolism, special attention should be given to camelina-JP5 biofuel due to its relatively rapid biodegradation. We recommend that this biofuel be used with caution and that whenever possible extended storage periods should be avoided.

Anaerobic hydrocarbon biodegradation and biocorrosion of carbon steel in marine environments: The impact of different ultra low sulfur diesels and bioaugmentation

“…incubations (Liang et al 2016a). While the corrosion rates detailed in this study were 607 comparable or slightly higher than those observed previously (Liang et a.…”

“…In addition, the environmental release of fuels is sometimes associated with the 79 biocorrosion of the carbon steel infrastructure. Fuels that biodegrade too easily serve as 80 carbon and energy sources for the proliferation of microbial communities that ultimately 81 exacerbate biocorrosion through-wall pitting corrosion of pipelines, tanks and other 82 equipment (Aktas et al 2010, Lenhart et al 2014, Liang et al 2016a). Concomitant with 83 the introduction of ULSD were increased reports of infrastructure corrosion (Anonymous, 84 2012).…”

The mutual influence between corrosion and the surrounding soil microbial communities of buried petroleum pipelines

“…It is generally acknowledged that sulfate-reducing bacteria have major responsibility for MIC in anoxic environments (e.g., buried petroleum pipelines), and carbon steel or iron corrosion was observed to positively correlate with sulfate loss in incubation media. 36,37 Based on this, signicantly lower sulfate contents in C-soil and O-soil samples could be a sign of pipeline corrosion and the pipeline surrounded by C-soil endured more severe corrosion, as their sulfate content was the lowest (Table 1). Taken together, from the microbial community composition and LEfSe analysis, Balneolaceae genera (Balneola and KSA1), Flavobacteriaceae genera (Muricauda and Gramella), and Desulfuromonadaceae genera (Pelobacter, Geoalkalibacter) were signicantly more abundant in the C-soil population (Fig.…”

The Effects of Storage on Turbine Engine Fuels

“…Hydrogen sulide also dissolves in the fuel and the fuel can become aggressive toward steel, silver and copper alloys [31]. Anaerobic bacteria are a particular problem in marine environments where salt water provides an abundant supply of sulfate that the anaerobic bacteria convert to hydrogen sulide which leads to foul smelling and toxic fuel and signiicant biocorrosion of steel [32].…”