MECHANISM OF MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION OF JET FUEL AND DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNIQUES FOR DETECTION OF MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION. PART I. RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN ALUMINUM CORROSION, SLUDGE FORMATION, AND MICROBIAL METABOLISM.
Abstract
Progress was made in determining the relationship between aluminum corrosion, sludge formation, and microbial metabolism. (1) Two assays using tetrazolium reduction were developed for the detection of small numbers of fuel microorganisms. (2) Growth of microorganisms in fuelwater media causes chemical changes in environment which result in a changing microbial flora. During growth in a closed system the pH and oxygen level decrease but the Eh and CO2 levels increase. (3) The conditions for demonstrating microbial corrosion were further defined. The corrosion studies carried out were of value in showing the multiplicity of factors entering into the corrosion process. The studies show that factors such as the composition of the growth medium, the composition, thickness, hardness, and microstructure of the aluminum alloys are of particular importance to the production and character of microbial corrosion. Research on the nutrition of fuel-oxidizing Pseudomonas resulted in the formulation of a fuel-water medium capable of yielding 100 times the growth observed on any medium described in the literature.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0607062
Entities
People
- Charles R. Goucher
- Gordon C. Blanchard
Organizations
- Melpar