Understanding of Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) in Gas System and Development of Detection Methods
The Project will develop a test kit and field testing guide for detecting microbial species associated with MIC in gas pipelines and storage facilities. The test kit will be simple, rapid, and portable and will enable technicians in the gas system to
BioVind, LLC
Recipient
Cerritos, CA
Recipient Location
30th
Senate District
64th
Assembly District
$614,197
Amount Spent
Active
Project Status
Project Update
BioVind is working with SoCalGas to characterize current MIC testing methods and challenges and to improve sample collection and preparation methods to detect microbial species more rapidly. With feedback from SoCalGas, BioVind identified a list of high-priority and medium-priority microbial targets and has begun collecting microbial samples from selected demonstration sites including pipelines, pressure vessels, and storage wells.
The Issue
Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is an area of increasing concern in the integrity and safety of gas processing, storage, and transmission. As a result of their ability to survive and thrive in a variety of environments, microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and archaea accelerate corrosion of metal and alloys through their presence and activities. Consequently, MIC has been linked to the rapid emergence of leaks that impact the gas system. Microbial testing is an essential component of the detection, control, and mitigation of MIC in gas systems. However, current testing approaches are hampered by long wait times, the inability of rapid tests to identify specific corrosion-related microorganisms, and complex sample preparation and testing processes that require laboratory equipment or specialized training.
Project Innovation
BioVind will address the current limitations of the detection and control of corrosion-related microbes by developing a test kit and field testing guide. The test kit will be simple, rapid, and portable and will enable technicians in the gas system to easily identify the specific groups of corrosion-related microbes present in pipelines and storage tanks on site within an hour. The solution will significantly lower the risk of MIC-related leakages; reduce the excessive and expensive use of harmful broad-spectrum biocides; and significantly shorten the time and cost associated with MIC detection, mitigation, and control.
Project Goals
Project Benefits
Potential cost savings and environmental benefits to California ratepayers, utilities, government entities, and other stakeholders.
Reliability
This project will result in the ratepayer benefits of improved infrastructure resiliency and reliability, lowered costs due to improved MIC control, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and reduced environmental impact of MIC treatment.
Safety
By providing corrosion management teams with the ability to quickly detect the presence of specific corrosion-related microbes in the field, the proposed solution will facilitate increased precision in the timing of biocide re-application and more tailored treatments that take into account the specific microbial communities present in each facility.
Affordability
The new test kit will reduce hands-on time by 90%, allowing more samples to be collected with less labor. Results will be available in one hour versus 24 hours or multiple days with currently available methods, enabling faster responses that will reduce mitigation and repair costs.
Key Project Members
Marc Tiegel
Joe Iyoha-Nwani
Jurriaan van Haaren
Subrecipients
EnhanceCo, Inc.
MEDIX STAFFING SOLUTIONS, LLC
Match Partners
The Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas)
BioVind, LLC
EnhanceCo, Inc.
