Corrosion of API XL 52 steel in presence of Clostridium celerecrescens

During the characterization of sediments formed in pipelines transporting hydrocarbons, the knowledge of the microbiological diversity becomes very interesting, especially when it is related to microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). The presence of microorganisms is considered as one of the factors that affect the corrosion processes occurring at the pipeline; therefore, their corrosiveness must be determined. In this way, the identification of new species affecting the MIC processes is still considered relevant. In this work, the effect of Clostridium celerecrescens upon the corrosion of API KL 52 steel was evaluated. This microorganism was isolated and identified from the sediments collected during the inner cleaning procedures of a gas pipeline. The polarization resistance (PR) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques were considered to estimate the microorganism behavior during the corrosion process. The results were complemented with a metal surface analysis, using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The resistance values induced by the presence of the microorganisms clearly indicated that C. celerecrescens has an effect on the corrosion process occurring at the API XL 52 steel surface.