ASTM International (West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA), one of the world’s largest and most established standards creating organizations, recently proposed a new test method that would aid in the detection of corrosion-inducing bacteria inwater. Detecting such bacteria in real time would enable faster and more effective remediation, as well as reduce costs to corroded pipelines and equipment.
Known as D8243, this ASTM test method uses an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to identify sulfate-reducing bacteria, which is a major contributor to microbiologically induced corrosion. The method makes such identification faster and easier than conventional test methods, according to ASTM International member Alan McQuillin.
By observing and neutralizing sulfate-reducing bacteria, McQuillin claims that D8243 could save the oil and gas industry an estimated annual range between $4 billion and $30 billion. For this reason, the method would not only benefit refining, petrochemical, and pipeline companies, but internal and external laboratories supporting such companies as well.
Source: ASTM International, www.astm.org