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[Growth of microfungi on the external polyethylene anticorrosive coating of oil-gas pipes]

A G Subbota, A I Chuenko, S N Ostapiuk

    Mikrobiolohichnyi Zhurnal (Kiev, Ukraine : 1993)
    |May 8, 2014
    PubMed

    Insights

    High-density polyethylene (HDPE) oil-gas pipe coatings are vulnerable to microfungi, especially when contaminated. Impurities like nitrogen and phosphorus in the coating accelerate fungal growth and degradation.

    Area of Science:

    • Materials Science
    • Microbiology
    • Corrosion Science

    Background:

    • External anticorrosive polyethylene coatings protect oil-gas pipes.
    • Microbial contamination can compromise coating integrity.
    • Understanding fungal resistance is crucial for pipeline longevity.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To assess the resistance of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) coatings to microfungi.
    • To investigate the impact of natural and simulated contaminations on coating resistance.
    • To identify microfungi associated with coating degradation.

    Main Methods:

    • Testing standard microfungal cultures on HDPE surfaces.
    • Simulating mineral and organic contaminations.
    • Infrared (IR) spectroscopy to analyze coating composition and changes.
    • Identifying microfungal species from natural contamination.

    Main Results:

    • Fungal growth intensified on contaminated HDPE surfaces, reducing resistance.
    • Six microfungal species were identified, with Alternaria sp. being most common.
    • IR spectroscopy revealed nitrogenic and phosphoric organic admixtures in HDPE and adhesive components.
    • Oxidation was observed in HDPE surface layers influenced by Penicillium funiculosum.

    Conclusions:

    • Contamination significantly decreases the microfungal resistance of HDPE coatings.
    • Impurities containing nitrogen and phosphorus in HDPE coatings are susceptible to fungal absorption and degradation.
    • Microbial degradation of HDPE coatings is linked to inherent chemical impurities.

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