Excalibur Shield - Shielding Against MIC

Excalibur Shield Overview

Microbiological influenced corrosion (MIC) refers to corrosion caused by the presence and activity of microorganisms such as microalgae, bacteria, and fungi. Microorganisms do not produce unique types of corrosion, however, accelerate and shift the corrosion mechanism.

Microbial action contributes to the rapid corrosion of metals and alloys exposed to soils, seawater, distilled water, freshwater, crude oil, hydrocarbon fuels, processed chemicals, and sewage. Many industries and infrastructure are affected by MIC, including oil production, power generation, transportation, and water and waste water.

Techniques to identify MIC are nonstandard and subject to interpretation. The areas we suspect MIC to occur are usually at interfaces where scale, wax, and other solids can settle or precipitate. Areas downstream of welds, where cleaning pigs have difficulty removing deposits, dead legs, low-velocity areas, and tank bottoms where solids, bacteria and biofilms can accumulate, are particularly susceptible to attack. Often this pitting is very isolated, with one hole surrounded by a number of shallower pits.

The Excalibur Shield is the most sophisticated internal pipeline corrosion system in the world and used by trusted oil and gas service companies. Utilizing a weight loss coupon with liquid and solid sample collection, the Excalibur Shield provides the most accurate assessment of the internal pipeline condition.

How it Works

Starting with a primary filtering system at the mouth of the 100 ML cavity, a weight loss coupon is installed inside the cavity, and a second filtering system surrounds the coupon. Installed in the pig receiver area, the external body is octagon shaped for easy install and removal, the base adapter is also outfitted with an O-ring with drain and ventilation valves for easy removal and secure sealing. By collecting internal samples for MIC analysis, or microbial induced corrosion, and monitoring the weight loss coupon in millimeters per year (MPY), we produce a highly accurate and data driven assessment of the internal pipeline condition.

MIC Analysis

Precision manufactured with corrosion resistant 316L stainless steel, the Excalibur Shield is perfect for acquiring liquid and solid samples from inside the pipeline. MIC analysis of planktonic and sessile bacteria, duplicate serial dilution, and the ability to monitor chemical inhibitor residuals maximizes the reliability of the analysis and assessment of the internal corrosion management program.

Coupon Monitoring

Weight loss coupon monitoring provides the most accurate reading of the low lying areas, or worst case scenario in the pipeline. By inserting a carbon steel coupon, or steel rod, internally in the pipeline over a period of time, we can determine the corrosion rates in MPY. The corrosion rate is calculated using the start and ending weight, surface area, density and exposure period. The weight loss coupon is easily removed to avoid mechanical damage

Features

  • 316L stainless steel, 2000PSI,
  • 1" and 2" pipeline connectiones,
  • 1-to-3 coupon holder,
  • 1/2" NPT ball valve,
  • 1/4" NPT needle valve,
  • 100 ML cavity

 


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Case Study

In this case study, the Excalibur Shield was employed to monitor MIC and weight loss at a worst case scenario on a 20-mile long, 10” carbon steel condensate pipeline operating at 700 PSI.

Excalibur Shield Case Study

The Excalibur Shield was employed to monitor MIC including sessile bacteria, planktonic bacteria, liquid sampling, chemical residual and weight lost coupon at a worst case scenario. The subject pipeline was a carbon steel 10” in diameter, 20-miles long operating at 700 PSI with flow less than turbulent. The pipeline shut down rate was 50% of the time, and the conditions inside of the pipeline were ideal for bacteria growth and induced corrosion. The weight lost coupon was previously being monitored by a retriever style coupon. The pipeline segment was suffering from a lack of internal monitoring; corrosion rate monitoring at the most severe locations, insufficient solid sampling, and water analysis.

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