Corrosion is a process that poses problems to many different industries. It is the destruction of material from reactions with the environment. An industry that is particularly impacted by corrosion is the pipeline industry. Pipelines are essential in providing valuable energy resources to the world. They are used to transport crude oil and natural gas to refineries, where these resources are converted to useful products such as gasoline [1]. They are also used to transport the converted fuels from refineries to be distributed. Pipelines are all over the world and can cover great distances; in Alberta alone, there are 415 152 kilometres of pipelines [2].
An interactive map of pipelines in North America can be found here
Why is Corrosion a Problem?
Corrosion causes reduction in the thickness of pipelines, which harms the integrity and strength of the pipe and can eventually lead to leaking or ruptures. There have been numerous reports about pipelines that have ruptured as a result of degradation of pipeline material [3].
Figure 1: Pipeline failures by cause in Alberta from 1990-2012
This image above, provided by the Alberta Energy Regulator in their report on pipeline performance, illustrates that since 1990, approximately 2/3 of pipeline failures in Alberta have been caused by corrosion [2]. This has caused serious environmental consequences, affecting wildlife and freshwater resources.
Figure 2: Image of a pipeline leak being contained in Innisfail, AB.
A study done by NACE International indicated that the cost of dealing with corrosion in pipelines in the United States is $7 billion per year [4]. These costs are for monitoring, replacing and maintaining pipelines. This is an extraordinary amount of money required and further demonstrates why pipeline corrosion is a major issue.
How does Corrosion Work?
Corrosion is the result of an oxidation-reduction reaction and requires an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. The area of the metal that undergoes an oxidation reaction and loses electrons is the corroding metal, which acts as the anode. These electrons are accepted at a different location on the metal, which is the cathode site. The medium that allows for the transfer of electrons is the electrolyte [5].
There are three mechanisms that cause corrosion: Dry corrosion, Galvanic corrosion, and Acid corrosion. A detailed description of the mechanisms can be found here.
What is Microbial Corrosion?
Microbial corrosion is also known as microbiologically influenced corrosion, and is the effect of micro-organisms in the corrosion process. The micro-organisms that cause corrosion are fungi, acid producing bacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria, and iron bacteria. These are all explored in this page. In pipelines, however, sulfate-reducing bacteria pose the biggest challenge (6) and its effect is explained here.
What can be Done about Corrosion?
Corrosion prevention is extremely important when designing pipelines to ensure that they provide reliable and safe transport. There are several methods to deal with corrosion through physical means such as cleaning, filtering and selecting pipe material that is not affected by corrosion. There are also chemical methods such as the use of biocide. The best prevention technique however, is monitoring pipelines. All these methods are discussed here.
Pipelines are crucial in the transport of valuable energy resources and corrosion is a problem that has negative economic and environmental repercussions. This wiki has particularly focused on the mechanisms of microbial corrosion, and preventative measures.
[3] L.K. Popoola et al. (2013, Sept.) Corrosion problems during oil and gas production and its mitigation. International Journal of Industrial Chemistry [Online]. 4(35), 1-15. Available: http://www.industchem.com/content/pdf/2228-5547-4-35.pdf
[5] ASM Handbook Volume 11: Failure Analysis and Prevention, ASM International, Russell Township, OH, 2002, pp. 882-890.
[6] S. Kakooei, et al. (2012) Mechanisms of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion: A Review. World Applied Science Journal [Online]. 17 (4), 524-531. Available: http://idosi.org/wasj/wasj17(4)12/18.pdf
Overview of Pipeline Corrosion
Corrosion is a process that poses problems to many different industries. It is the destruction of material from reactions with the environment. An industry that is particularly impacted by corrosion is the pipeline industry. Pipelines are essential in providing valuable energy resources to the world. They are used to transport crude oil and natural gas to refineries, where these resources are converted to useful products such as gasoline [1]. They are also used to transport the converted fuels from refineries to be distributed. Pipelines are all over the world and can cover great distances; in Alberta alone, there are 415 152 kilometres of pipelines [2].
An interactive map of pipelines in North America can be found here
Why is Corrosion a Problem?
Corrosion causes reduction in the thickness of pipelines, which harms the integrity and strength of the pipe and can eventually lead to leaking or ruptures. There have been numerous reports about pipelines that have ruptured as a result of degradation of pipeline material [3].
This image above, provided by the Alberta Energy Regulator in their report on pipeline performance, illustrates that since 1990, approximately 2/3 of pipeline failures in Alberta have been caused by corrosion [2]. This has caused serious environmental consequences, affecting wildlife and freshwater resources.
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/alberta-regulator-criticizes-company-for-2012-pipeline-leak-into-river-1.1714267
A study done by NACE International indicated that the cost of dealing with corrosion in pipelines in the United States is $7 billion per year [4]. These costs are for monitoring, replacing and maintaining pipelines. This is an extraordinary amount of money required and further demonstrates why pipeline corrosion is a major issue.
How does Corrosion Work?
Corrosion is the result of an oxidation-reduction reaction and requires an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. The area of the metal that undergoes an oxidation reaction and loses electrons is the corroding metal, which acts as the anode. These electrons are accepted at a different location on the metal, which is the cathode site. The medium that allows for the transfer of electrons is the electrolyte [5].
There are three mechanisms that cause corrosion: Dry corrosion, Galvanic corrosion, and Acid corrosion. A detailed description of the mechanisms can be found here.
What is Microbial Corrosion?
Microbial corrosion is also known as microbiologically influenced corrosion, and is the effect of micro-organisms in the corrosion process. The micro-organisms that cause corrosion are fungi, acid producing bacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria, and iron bacteria. These are all explored in this page. In pipelines, however, sulfate-reducing bacteria pose the biggest challenge (6) and its effect is explained here.
What can be Done about Corrosion?
Corrosion prevention is extremely important when designing pipelines to ensure that they provide reliable and safe transport. There are several methods to deal with corrosion through physical means such as cleaning, filtering and selecting pipe material that is not affected by corrosion. There are also chemical methods such as the use of biocide. The best prevention technique however, is monitoring pipelines. All these methods are discussed here.
Pipelines are crucial in the transport of valuable energy resources and corrosion is a problem that has negative economic and environmental repercussions. This wiki has particularly focused on the mechanisms of microbial corrosion, and preventative measures.
[1] Canadian Energy Pipeline Association. (2014). About Pipelines [Online]. Available: http://www.cepa.com/about-pipelines
[2] Alberta Energy Regulator. (2013, Aug.). Report 2013-B: Pipeline Performance in Alberta, 1991-2012 [Online]. Available: http://www.aer.ca/documents/reports/R2013-B.pdf
[3] L.K. Popoola et al. (2013, Sept.) Corrosion problems during oil and gas production and its mitigation. International Journal of Industrial Chemistry [Online]. 4(35), 1-15. Available: http://www.industchem.com/content/pdf/2228-5547-4-35.pdf
[4] NACE International. (2002). Corrosion Costs and Preventative Strategies in the United States [Online]. Available: http://www.nace.org/uploadedFiles/Publications/ccsupp.pdf
[5] ASM Handbook Volume 11: Failure Analysis and Prevention, ASM International, Russell Township, OH, 2002, pp. 882-890.
[6] S. Kakooei, et al. (2012) Mechanisms of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion: A Review. World Applied Science Journal [Online]. 17 (4), 524-531. Available: http://idosi.org/wasj/wasj17(4)12/18.pdf