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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Mechanism of anaerobic (microbial) corrosion. Technical summary report No. 1, 1 Jun-31 Dec 82

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5305472
This report in the form of three papers describes research into the role of bacteria in anaerobic corrosion processes. During the year we have given more evidence for a novel mechanism of anaerobic corrosion in which a volatile, highly reactive phosporous compound is produced as a result of the activities of sulfate-reducing bacteria (Desulfovibio desuluricans). The corrosion product is an amorphous type of iron phosphide which can be detected by the formation of phosphine upon its acidification. Phosphine (in addition to H2S) has been detected from all the cases of suspected anaerobic corrosion (including tubercles from the inside of water pipes) examined so far. In examining the headspace over growing cultures of Desulfovibio to detect this volatile phosphorus containing compound, using a gas chromatograph (GC) with a flame photometric detector (FPD) specific for phosphorus and sulfur, two sulfur compounds, in addition to H2S, were detected and identified. These compounds, methylmercaptan, and dimethyldisulfide, were found to be relatively non-corrosive to iron under anaerobic conditions. No volatile phosphorus compounds were detected.
Research Organization:
National Measurement Lab. (NBS), Washington, DC (USA)
OSTI ID:
5305472
Report Number(s):
AD-A-131223/0
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English