Overview of Microbiologically Induced Corrosion (MIC)
Microbiologically Induced Corrosion (MIC) is an insidious condition caused by biological growth, typically bacteria, algae, or fungi, in water under low flow or stagnant conditions. One reason it is such a problem is that MIC can eat through a pipe or tube in a matter of weeks, or even days, if equipment is left with stagnant, untreated water in it. MIC has been found in cooling water systems, piping, vessels, and storage tanks, and typically manifests itself as pits, with subsurface "caverns" that are larger that the pitted opening at the surface. Aluminum, 300 series SS's, brass, and carbon steels are especially vulnerable to MIC. In order to prevent MIC, operators should take proper measures to treat water systems with biocides in order to kill the organic compounds.
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July/August 2019 Inspectioneering JournalBy Richard B. Eckert at DNV GL, and Dr. Susmitha Purnima Kotu at DNV GL
A significant number of pipeline failures due to external or internal corrosion have resulted from MIC, some with catastrophic consequences. This article demonstrates a three-step failure analysis process used to investigate the failure mechanism.
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July/August 2017 Inspectioneering JournalBy Richard B. Eckert at DNV GL, and Dr. Kathy Buckingham at DNV GL
Failure analysis of piping that has experienced corrosion damage provides operators with valuable information needed to prevent future failures. Effective processes and procedures are essential when investigating the cause of corrosion on pipelines and piping systems.
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November/December 2015 Inspectioneering JournalBy Richard B. Eckert at DNV GL
Understanding the common factors that promote corrosion threats in the oil and gas value chain helps operators create effective inspection strategies.
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Online Article
Jim Svetgoff, Corrosion Advisor at Devon Energy recently interviewed with American Business Conferences for the Crude Pipeline Asset Integrity Congress 2014.
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May/June 2005 Inspectioneering JournalBy John Reynolds at Intertek
MIC is caused by biological growth, i.e. organic slime (typically bacteria, algae, and fungi) in water under low flow or stagnant conditions. The industry experiences it in cooling water systems, piping, vessels and storage tank bottoms where the conditions are ripe for it.
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Partner Content
InVista is a lightweight, hand-held ultrasonic in-line inspection tool (intelligent pig) capable of detecting pipeline wall loss and corrosion in unpiggable or difficult-to-inspect pipelines. The pipeline geometry inspection data captured by the InVista tool is exceptionally powerful when combined with the LifeQuest™ Pipeline fitness-for-service capabilities, providing an integrated solution set for the pipeline industry.
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September/October 1995 Inspectioneering JournalBy Susan W. Borenstein at Structural Integrity Associates, Inc., and George J. Licina at Structural Integrity Associates, Inc.
Low-energy piping system failures in power-generating facilities are often the result of fouling and corrosion. These degradation mechanisms can affect the capacity of piping for fluid-carrying, the heat transfer rates of heat exchangers, and the structural integrity of piping systems. Steels are not immune to pitting, underdeposit corrosion, and microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). Once advanced inspection technique, using an enhanced ultrasonic inspection system coupled with special imaging software, has demonstrated the capability to accurately image and size closed tunneling pits that often form in austenitic stainless steel weldments due to MIC.
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