Authors: Mataqi K, Jose S, Mathew B
The presence and growth of bacteria in the oil industry especially in the fuel storage tanks results in costly maintenance measure as well as alteration in oil product specifications. The aim of this study is to screen the effect of the biocide (Predator 6000) on controlling the bacterial growth in the oil storage tanks in Kuwait, to identify the optimum dosage of the biocide needed to control bacterial growth in petroleum product, and to analyze the fuel quality after treatment with the biocide. Minimum inhibitory concentration of the Predator 6000 were estimated and used for detailed study. Predator 6000 was examined for its chemical composition, minimal bacterial concentration (MBC) and the coupon weight loss study. The biocide showed an effectiveness in the prevention of bacterial growth; did not change weight of mild steel coupons (custom made circular coupons of an average 2.45 cm diameter and 0.35 cm thickness, which were made from the same material as of the fuel storage tank were used to check whether the biocide have a corrosive effect); and did not affect the quality of fuels. Furthermore, under the electron microscopy study, it was proved that Predator 6000 treated coupons had a negligible degree of corrosion.
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