CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

Metal surface immersed in natural or industrial watersundergo a sequence of processes in time and space that lead to the formation ofbiological and inorganic (scaling) deposit adhesion of different microorganisms(bacteria, microalgae, fungi) on the metal surface through extracellularpolymeric substances, causing microbiologically influenced corrosion. Thebiofilm formation and microbiologically influenced corrosion impact on economicinterests and after inorganic corrosion they are the most important problemsaffecting different industries. The eradication of biofilm in the industry isdifficult and costly. Technological importance in the thermoelectric industryby biofilm and biofouling formation lies in energy losses in heat exchangersystems. In the oil industry, problems derived from the presence of biofilms asfilter plugging, corrosion in structures storage and distribution of fuel arepresented. The aim of this work is to show the different industry cases of microbiologicallyinfluenced corrosion: jet aircraft fuel storage tanks and distribution plant,steel plant, thermoelectric industry. The evaluation of microbiologicallyinfluenced corrosion and the biofilm formation are investigated. Microbial counts were performed byconventional techniques. The formation of the biofilm and the attack on themetal surface were studied through scanning electron microscopic techniques. Differentresults were obtained for each of the industrial environments studied. Strategiesto evaluate corrosion problems systems are proposed through microbiological andphysical-chemical studies.