Method and Apparatus for Measuring Corrosion Current Induced by Microbiological Activities.
Abstract
A corrosion measuring device is disclosed for measuring microbiologically induced corrosion using galvanically coupled electrodes exposed in an electrolytically continuous, biologically separated environment. The device consists of two mirror image, half-cells separated by either a 0.1- micrometer porous cellulose acetate/cellulose nitrate membrane or a solid disc. The membrane is used when measuring total corrosion current in a chemically continuous environment while the solid disc is used when evaluating individual corrosion mechanisms in chemically isolated environment. Culture medium is pumped through inlets of the half-cells at a constant speed. One of the electrodes is inoculated with viable microorganisms which colonize the electrode surface creating a corrosion current that can be measured with a zero resistance ammeter. If a solid (Teflon) disc is used, an agar salt bridge is inserted through the utility port of each half-cell to maintain electrolytic continuity. In such a chemically separated environment, the biologically controlled mechanisms for corrosion can be evaluated, including, but not limited to differential aeration, acid production, or entrapment of metallic cations. Keywords: Patents, Fouling organisms, Galvanic corrosion. (aw)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 06, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADD013928
Entities
People
- Barbara J. Gerchakov
- Brenda J. Little
- Sol M. Gerchakov
Organizations
- United States Department of the Navy