Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is one of the major corrosion threats in the oil and gas industry. It is caused by environmental biofilms. Glutaraldehyde is a popular green biocide for mitigating biofilms and MIC. This work investigated the efficacy of glutaraldehyde enhancement by food-grade green chemical D-limonene in the biofilm prevention and MIC mitigation using a mixed-culture oilfield biofilm consortium. After 7 days of incubation at 37 °C in enriched artificial seawater in 125 mL anaerobic vials, the 100 ppm (w/w) glutaraldehyde + 200 ppm D-limonene combination treatment reduced the sessile cell counts on C1018 carbon steel coupons by 2.1-log, 1.7-log, and 2.3-log for sulfate reducing bacteria, acid producing bacteria, and general heterotrophic bacteria, respectively in comparison with the untreated control. The treatment achieved 68% weight loss reduction and 78% pit depth reduction. The 100 ppm glutaraldehyde + 200 ppm D-limonene combination treatment was found more effective in biofilm prevention and MIC mitigation than glutaraldehyde and D-limonene used individually. Electrochemical tests corroborated weight loss and pit depth data trends.
Keywords: Biocide; Biofilm consortium; Carbon steel; Microbiologically influenced corrosion.
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