MIC Presentation

1
UNDERSTANDING MIC (Microbiologically Influenced
Corrosion)
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OVERVIEW

• CORROSION DEFINITIONS
• WHAT IS MIC (Microbiologically Influenced
  Corrosion)
• HOW TO IDENTIFY MIC
• HOW TO CONTROL MIC
• RUMORS RELATED TO MIC/DURO-SEAL
• DOES JOTUNs DURO-SEAL SUPPORT OR
• PROPAGATE MIC

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CORROSION DEFINITIONS

• Corrosion requires four entities
• Anode
• Cathode
• Direct Metal Path
• Electrolyte
• Types of Corrosion
• General Corrosion
• Localized Pitting Corrosion
• Under Deposit Corrosion or Deposition
  (Anaerobic) Corrosion

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CORROSION WORKS SIMILARLY TO THEY WAY A BATTERY
WORKS
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MIC FORMATION/DEGREDATION IS SIMILAR TO THE
OPERATION OF AN AUTOMOTIVE BATTERY
1. The Crusty Top Hat (or outside Tubercle) is
the frame or membrane that houses bacteria. 2.
The Direct Metal Path is the metallic connection
of the cathodic area at the top of the pit to the
anodic area at the pit bottom. 3. The steel
becomes the anode in lieu of lead storage plates
and the sacrificial Positive anode. 4. The
electrolyte is water and later as the
micro-organisms form, is acid water (Sometimes
sulphuric).
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WHAT IS MIC? MIC is
corrosion initiated or accelerated by
microorganisms. MIC is caused by specific genera
of bacteria which feed on nutrients and other
elements found in Fresh and Salt water. It is
generally understood that microorganisms
(bacteria and fungi) are found living in almost
every aqueous (water)environment on earth, but
this does not mean that all species are directly
or indirectly corrosive to steel. Microorganisms
require water to propagate (live)
NO WATER..NO MIC CORROSION !
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TYPES OF MICROORGANISMS THAT PRODUCE MIC

• Acid Producing Bacteria (APBs-Aerobic or
  Facultative Anaerobic)

• Sulfate-reducing Bacteria (SRBs)

• Iron or Manganese Bacteria

• Slime Formers

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SRB CORROSION
Pit Corrosion is not constant. In Barges where
APBs and SRBs have been identified, some tanks
and/or wet voids may have high levels of APBs
(Acid Producing Bacteria) whereas others may have
high levels of SRBs (Sulfate Reducing Bacteria).
In either case, high levels of microbial
activity are within the restricted confines of
the crater. SRBs frequently use the acidity of
the APBs as nutrient. Higher temperatures
stimulate growth. Crusty Top Hats are usually
found capping pit craters. Rates as high as 11
mm (430 mils or 0.433 inches) in one year have
been found in certain instances.
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WHAT IS REQUIRED TO SUPPORT MIC
(Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion)

• Microorganisms are required to produce MIC.
• Three requirements to produce microorganisms are
• Microorganisms require water to propagate.
• Microorganisms require a food source to
  propagate.
• Microorganisms require specific environments to
  propagate such as water temperature and stagnant
  conditions.

TWO OF THESE THREE ELEMENTS ARE CONTAINED IN
RIVER WATER.
NO RIVER WATER.NO MIC CORROSION!
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MECHANISMS OF MIC

• Planktonic Bacteria
• Inclusion and Receptor Sites
• Sessile Bacteria
• Synergistic Colony Formation
• Nodules (Tubercles)
• Pit Propagation

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BACTERIA TYPES
Aerobic Bacteria (Pseudomonas Type)
Anaerobic Bacteria (Clostridium Type)
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HOW TO IDENTIFY MIC
Experts need to use all three of the following
confirmation tests to identify MIC.
Chemical-Test directly for pH, organic acids and
test indirectly (test
byproducts) for iron sulfide.
Biological-Several methods available. The most
common are the MIC Field Kit
and/or microbiological culturing. (Requires 28
days or more to produce
results.)
Metallurgical-Visually identify shiny metal
underneath corrosion products.
MIC cannot be identified purely by use of a MIC
Kit alone!
The cost of Proper inspections to identify MIC by
MIC Experts can be can be Thousands of
Dollars Per Vessel!
KEEPING YOUR VOIDS CLEAN AND DRY WILL PREVENT MIC!
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This photo illustrates an area that has been
cleaned and shows minimal general corrosion,
intact mill scale, and intact coating. It also
demonstrates rust staining over the intact
coating. There is no evidence of MIC.
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IDENTIFYING MIC
Try to identify what this inspector is holding.
Is it a MIC Tubercle?
What the inspector is holding is actually thought
to be river mud and no MIC was present.
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WHO IS QUALIFIED TO TEST FOR MIC?
Personnel who have had formal training and
experience in the identification of the 1.
Chemical, 2. Biological, and 3. Metallurgical,
should always perform testing for the
characteristics of MIC.
FIELD TESTS ALONE CANNOT CONFIRM MIC. LABORATORY
TESTING MUST BE USED TO CONCLUDE MIC CORROSION
DUE IN PART TO MICROBIOLOGICAL CULTURING PERIODS
OF 28 DAYS OR MORE.
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Qualified barge inspectors use a wide range of
instruments to obtain data during the inspections.
(This is where it all started. Photo from FMT
3003)
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MINIMIZING MIC

• Routine inspections
• Clean environment
• Design of the barge
• Barrier System
• Chemical Treatments Through Green Chemistry
• Maintain the Coating System
• Other methods

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CONTROLLING MIC

• Dehydration And Clean environment.

NO WATER-NO MIC CORROSION!
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RUMORS ABOUT MIC
1. MIC is new.
MIC is as old as steel itself and not new to the
marine industry! Only the term MIC is new
(derived in the early 1980s) and was developed
by the pipeline industry (and others) to
specifically identify this phenomenon.
2. MIC is a bacteria.
MIC is not a bacteria. MIC is a corrosion
mechanism formed by a very few specific types of
microorganisms.
3. MIC is rampant in barges.
MIC is no more a phenomenon in barges than it is
in waste water treatment systems, pipe lines and
even sprinkler systems. General corrosion is
often confused with MIC in barges.
4. Wherever there are microorganisms there is MIC.
Only a very few specific microorganisms are
associated with MIC. These microorganisms must
have water and be attached to the steel substrate
to be harmful.
5. Bacteria on steel prior to coating causes
MIC.
Bacteria are everywhere. Bacteria on steel alone
do not cause MIC. MIC is a corrosion mechanism
that can take place only when the 3-criteria are
met Water, Food Source, and a Specific
Environment. A sound film of properly applied
intact coatings do not deter MIC.
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RUMORS ABOUT MIC AND DURO-SEAL
6. Microorganisms can grow under intact coatings.
Environmental conditions that exist under intact
industrial coatings are not suitable to sustain
growth of microorganisms resulting in MIC.
7. MIC is in Duro-Seal.
Extensive testing by several world-class
laboratories have proven there are no MIC
producing microorganisms in Duro-Seal.
8. MIC eats Duro-Seal.
Duro-Seal with its Bees wax components have
natural immunities to resist microbiological
degradation. Duro-Seal does not support the MIC
phenomenon as concluded by two separate
independent laboratory studies.
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RUMORS ABOUT DURO-SEAL
9. Duro-Seal introduces water into voids.
The water contained in Duro-Seal does not
accumulate, it evaporates and dissipates
during application and curing. Surveys conducted
conclude that the source of water
accumulating in barges is the result of
condensation, rain water, river water, and/or
seawater. In addition, the water in
Duro-Seal has an added ingredient. Used as a
solvent for the wax, Duro-Seal uses Inhibited
Ammonia to keep the wax from separating. This
added ingredient doubles as a mild surface
cleaner/disinfectant. We all know that
Inhibited Ammonia is an ANTIBACTERIAL and
ANTIFUNGAL agent. If anything, the steel
substrate is more free of microorganisms after
the application of Duro-Seal than it is
before application of Duro-Seal. Duro-Seal
also contains PROPOLIS-A natural antibacterial
and antifungal used for sterilization in
Beeswax.
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RUMORS ABOUT DURO-SEAL
10. Duro-Seal is the only barge coating Jotun
manufactures.
Jotun manufactures a wide variety of coatings for
barge internals and externals alike. These
include a wide range of Inorganic (including
waterborne) and Organic Zinc Primers, Epoxies
Surface Tolerant Epoxies, Alkyd, Acrylic Epoxy
and Polyurethane Finishes.
11. Jotun Paints is a small specialty
manufacturer.
Jotun Paints is the second largest marine
coatings manufacturer in the world with 4,400
employees. Our main research and development
laboratory alone employs over 250 technical
personnel.
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WHAT IS DURO-SEAL?

• Single Component Barrier Coat
• 35 solids (by volume), zero VOC
• Non flammable, fits safety requirements
• Environmentally benign
• Does not support microbial or bacterial growth
• Specifically designed as a void coating for the
  barge industry
• Intended as a cost effective corrosion barrier
  over minimum SP-2 prepared surfaces in voids

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OTHER QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT DURO-SEAL
1. What is the chemical composition of Duro-Seal?
Duro-Seal is a water-borne coating made of
principally Beeswax and other proprietary
products.
2. Are there any petroleum-based products in
Duro-Seal that could be used as a food
source?
NO.
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OTHER QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT DURO-SEAL
3. Is Beeswax resistant to microbial attacks in
nature?
YES! BEESWAX CONTAINS PROPOLIS-A RESINOUS
SUBSTANCE THAT IS ANTIMICROBIAL IN
NATURE.
4. Is there any data to support Duro-Seal is
resistant to microbial attacks?
YES. SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
RESEARCH REPORTS.
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OTHER QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT DURO-SEAL
5. What in-can Biocides are used in Duro-Seal?
NONE NEEDED. BEESWAX AND INHIBITED AMMONIA ARE
ALL THAT ARE NEEDED AS PRESERVATIVES. Furthermore
, due to the strict requirements of Federal EPA,
the addition of Man-Made Biocides are regulated
and may be used in very limited quantities as a
shelf-preservative. With this limitation, these
small quantities will not be effective for the
purpose of killing MIC in the dry film. If
quantities of Biocide are used to be effective
against MIC, the product must be registered as a
Pesticide. Worker Safety also becomes an issue.
6. What film preservatives are used in Duro-Seal?
NONE NEEDED. BEESWAX HAS HAS PROPOLIS AS ONE OF
ITS NATURAL PRESERVATIVES!
7. Are there any sulfates in Duro-Seal?
NO!
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OTHER QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT DURO-SEAL
8. What is the solubility of Duro-Seal in water?
Duro-Seal in highly soluble in the can or in
liquid form. Duro-Seal becomes highly
insoluble when fully cured.
9. What is the performance of Duro-Seal in
immersion service?
Duro-Seal is recommended for Dry Voids.
Duro-Seal is not recommended for Ballast
Tanks. This is primarily due to A. The
minimal surface preparation of the surfaces to
be coated. B. Duro-Seals low
recommended film thickness for its
intended application. C. The design of the
barge itself-no continuous welds.
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DURO-SEAL TESTING IN A HUMIDITY CHAMBER
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DURO-SEAL EXPOSED TO SEAWATER
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WHAT TESTING HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON DURO-SEAL?
Numerous tests for corrosion protection
(including salt fog exposure, humidity cabinet
tests, microscopy, carbon long-chain degradation
tests, etc.) have been performed by the following
leading organizations. Altran
Laboratories Jotun Paints KTA
TATOR Southwest Research Institute
Trinity Marine Products University of
Southern Mississippi They concluded that Jotun
Duro-Seal meets or exceeds the individual
performance criteria in terms of corrosion
resistance.


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WHAT TESTING HAS BEEN PERFORMED ON DURO-SEAL?
Numerous tests for resistance to microbiological
attack (including salt fog exposure, bubble
test, humidity cabinet test, bacterial screening,
bacterial exposure testing, microscopy, carbon
long-chain degradation tests, etc.) have been
performed by the following leading
organizations. Altran Laboratories Jotun
Paints Southwest Research Institute THEY
CONCLUDED THAT JOTUN DURO-SEAL DOES NOT SUPPORT
OR PROMOTE THE MIC PHENOMENON.


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EXCERPTS FROM Evaluation of Possible Microbial
Activity Leading to Barge Corrosion FINAL
REPORT SwRI TM Project 20.05444 Prepared
for Jotun Paints 9203 Highway 23 Belle Chasse, LA
70037 Prepared by Sean Brossia Southwest
Research Institute â 6220 Culebra Road San
Antonio, TX 78228 Geri Becker ABC
Consulting 19910 Encino Grove San Antonio, TX
78259 August 2002 S O U T H W E S T R E S E A
R C H I N S T I T U T E TM SAN ANTONIO
HOUSTON DETROIT
WASHINGTON, DC
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The average carbon chain length for the virgin
wax coating and coating samples that had been
inoculated with bacteria from the MIC kits and
incubated for over 60 days were determined using
ASTM D2887. The average boiling point for each
sample was then compared to a standard
calibration curve that establishes the
relationship between boiling point and
hydrocarbon chain length. The results clearly
showed no appreciable difference between the
virgin and inoculated samples. If the microbes
were able to use the wax paint as a nutrient
source, the average boiling point, and thus the
chain length, would decrease. As there is
essentially no difference in the measured boiling
points for the samples, it can be concluded that
the microbes did not use the wax paint as a
nutrient source. Based on the results from this
research, the following conclusions can be
made 1. The virgin wax paint does not contain
any viable microorganisms. Thus, any organisms
collected in the void space of FMT 3003 are
contaminants that were introduced during paint
application or barge operations. The most likely
source is from barge operations as discussed
below. 2. All the organisms recovered from the
void space (pseudomonas/aeromonas, vibrio,
clostridium, Fusarium oxysporum) are
environmental in origin and are ubiquitous. In
addition, the fungus (Fusarium oxysporum) is
predominantly found in soils and muds. Thus,
since these organisms are common to the
environment, were not contained in the virgin
paint, and in one case is predominantly
found in soil, the most likely cause of the
contamination is barge operations and the use
of the void space as a ballast tank. 3. Based on
analytical organic chemistry analyses, it is
evident that the organisms present cannot (or at
least do not) readily metabolize the wax paint
as a nutrient source. Thus, even if MIC is
playing a causative role in the corrosion
observed in FMT 3003, the wax coating is not
aiding in this process.
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To minimize and prevent future corrosion on
double-hulled barges, the following
recommendations are made Discontinue use of
the void spaces as a ballast tank Ensure
adequate surface preparation prior to application
of wax coating to ensure good adhesion and
minimize the risk of trapping moisture and other
corrosive agents that may lead to corrosion
underneath the paint If void spaces are
continued to be used as ballast spaces that will
be exposed to fresh and/or salt waters,
incorporation of corrosion inhibitors and
biocides should be considered Inspections of
void spaces for coating appearance and structural
integrity should be conducted regularly Reference
s ASTM International. ASTM D2887-01a, Standard
Test Method for Boiling Range Distribution
of Petroleum Fractions by Gas Chromatography
(2002). G.S. de Hoog, J. Guarro, J. Gene, and M.
J. Figueras. Atlas of Clinical Fungi, 2nd ed,
vol. 1. Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures,
Utrecht, The Netherlands (2000). N.J.E. Dowling,
J. Guezennec, and D.C. White, Microbial Problems
in the Offshore Oil Industry, p. 27-38, E.C.
Hill, J.L. Shennan, and R.J. Watkinson Eds.,
Wiley Chichester, England (1987) C.C. Gaylarde
and H.A. Videla, International Biodeterioration,
23, p. 91-104 (1987). C.C. Gaylarde and J.M.
Johnston, International Biodeterioration
Bulletin, 18, p. 111-116 (1982). C.H. Hare,
Journal of Protective Coatings and Linings, p.
51-65, September (2000). G. Hernandez-Duque, A.
Pederson, D. Thierry, M. Hermansson, and V.
Kucera, in Microbially Influenced Corrosion and
Biodeterioration, p. 2.41-2.51, N.J. Dowling,
M.W. Mittelman, and J.C. Danko Eds., NACE
International Houston, Texas (1990). B. Little
and R. Ray, in A Practical Manual on Microbially
Influenced Corrosion, Volume 2, p. 2.1-2.6, J.G.
Stoecker Ed. NACE International Houston, Texas
(2001). J.I. Pitt, A. D. Hocking, K. Bhudhasamai,
B. F. Miscamble, K. A. Wheeler, and P.
Tanboon-Ek. International Journal of Food
Microbiology. 23, p. 35-43 (1994). J.S. Smart,
Journal of Protective Coatings and Linings, p.
56-64, February (1997). R.W. Staehle and B.J.
Little, in Proceedings of the Corrosion/2002
Research Topical Symposium on Microbially
Influenced Corrosion, p. 33-96, B. Little Ed.,
NACE International Houston, Texas (2002).
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