Paper 281. Microbial fouling and corrosion in nuclear power plant service water systems

Fouling and corrosion are frequently mediated by microorganisms attached to the metal surface and/or embedded in a gelatinous organic matrix termed a biofilm. Biofilms substantially change the local chemistry of the adjacent metal and, thereby, enhance corrosion processes. The change in local chemistry is influenced by the microenvironmental conditions at the metal-surface including the number and types of microorganisms present, the dissolved oxygen concentration, the flow velocity, the buffering capacity of the bulk water, and many other factors. Since microbial corrosion is generally localized, the spatial distribution or patchiness of the microbial activity also affects the corrosion processes. These problems are especially serious in nuclear power plant service water systems (SWS). A unified approach to understanding and controlling biofilms and the related corrosion is presented in the context of a case study from a SWS.The NACE Annual Conference and Corrosion Show 11-15, 1991 . Cincinnati Convention Center' Cincinnati, Ohi