Abstract: The present disclosure provides a scaled-up electrochemical flow cell for performing corrosion and biocorrosion studies of different types of metallic materials, including pipeline steels and new materials. The volume of the cell depends on the dimensions of the cell design, construction, assembly and testing or on the needs and requirements of the user or customer.

Abstract: A portable, single-phase bioreactor provides the in situ study of mesophilic and thermophilic corrosion inducing microbial biofilms on metal surfaces by oil, chemical, petrochemical, oil refining, food, metallurgical, paper fluids. The bioreactor is a batch-type for turbulent and piston-driven laminar flow, operated by cycles, with continuous circulation of the fluid. A culture medium or industrial or production fluid containing microbiota is introduced into a homogenizing container. The bioreactor includes a support section having removable corrosimetric test coupons that contact the fluid under dynamic conditions corresponding to fluid-carrying pipelines, and promote the formation of the microbial biofilm for analysis of the kinetics of microbial biofilm development. The bioreactor produces turbulence to homogenize the fluid and maintain a temperature of 20 to 80° C. for the microorganism growth. The fluid has a salinity of 2 to 200 ppm (NaCl) and a pH of 2 to 10.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a procedure which includes the following objectives: a) To determine the morphology of the micro and nanocavities produced by chemical and/or microbiological corrosion in metallic materials, in the space of three dimensions as well as the effective advance of corrosion, the true length of corrosion cavities and their associated parameters: corrosion vectors, corrosion intensity and determination of the cavities diameter/true length of corrosion ratio, applying scanning electron microscopy (MEB) techniques, and analytic, gravimetric and volumetric formulations; b) To quantitatively determine the rate of chemical and/or microbiological corrosion in metallic materials, through their volumetric and gravimetric properties; and c) To obtain a graphic interface to access the numeric information and the micrographs in a simple and friendly manner.

Abstract: A portable bioreactor is provided for the in situ study of mesophilic and thermophilic corrosion inducing microbial biofilms on metal surfaces used in any industry, such as oil, chemical, petrochemical, oil refining, food, metallurgical, paper. The bioreactor's configuration is a “batch” type for turbulent and piston-driven laminar flow, operating by cycles, with the continuous circulation of fluid. A culture medium, or industrial operation or production fluids containing microbiota is introduced into the load of the receiving body, thus the bioreactor is single phase. The bioreactor comprises a support section for corrosimetric test coupons that are in touch with the fluid under dynamic conditions, such as found in the fluid carrying pipelines, naturally promoting the formation of the microbial biofilm. The coupons are removed for analysis to follow the kinetics of microbial biofilm development.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a procedure which includes the following objectives: a) To determine the morphology of the micro and nanocavities produced by chemical and/or microbiological corrosion in metallic materials, in the space of three dimensions as well as the effective advance of corrosion, the true length of corrosion cavities and their associated parameters: corrosion vectors, corrosion intensity and determination of the cavities diameter/true length of corrosion ratio, applying scanning electron microscopy (MEB) techniques, and analytic, gravimetric and volumetric formulations; b) To quantitatively determine the rate of chemical and/or microbiological corrosion in metallic materials, through their volumetric and gravimetric properties; and c) To obtain a graphic interface to access the numeric information and the micrographs in a simple and friendly manner.

Abstract: A process for increasing recovery of heavy oil with an API gravity equal to or greater than 10, contained in carbonate and/or sandstone porous media using extremophile (thermophilic, halotolerant and barotolerant) anaerobic indigenous microorganisms. The process involves nutrient injection to stimulate activity of extremophile anaerobic indigenous microorganisms at the well bottom, promoting the production of metabolites which improve oil mobility and increase oil recovery. Stimulation of extremophile anaerobic indigenous microorganisms and their metabolite production is conducted under anaerobic conditions at temperatures of 45 to 90° C., NaCl concentrations of 5,000 to 40,000 mg/L and pressures of 0.795 to 169 Kg/cm2 (11.3 to 2,400 psi). Heavy oils are recovered with API gravity equal to or greater than 10 degrees. The process enables up to 21% oil recovery in addition to the waterflooding process in porous media.

Abstract: A biotechnological process for enhancing oil recovery of 14 to 25° API oil contained in carbonate or sandstone rock systems with low permeability utilizes indigenous extremophile microorganisms (first culture) from the oil well, a second culture containing selected microorganisms and its metabolites (gases, acids, solvents and surfactants), to improve oil mobility. Under anaerobic conditions, such microorganisms are able to grow in temperatures from 60 to 95° C., at pressures from 7 to 154.6 kg/cm2 and NaCl content from 5,000 to 45,000 ppm. Injection of indigenous microorganisms and a second culture for metabolites production into the well improves oil recovery after closing the system for periods from 5 to 10 days. The biotechnical process includes biostimulation (indigenous microorganisms) and bioaugmetation (second culture) to increase oil recovery.

Abstract: A process for increasing recovery of heavy oil with an API gravity equal to or greater than 10, contained in carbonate and/or sandstone porous media using extremophile (thermophilic, halotolerant and barotolerant) anaerobic indigenous microorganisms. The process involves nutrient injection to stimulate activity of extremophile anaerobic indigenous microorganisms at the well bottom, promoting the production of metabolites which improve oil mobility and increase oil recovery. Stimulation of extremophile anaerobic indigenous microorganisms and their metabolite production is conducted under anaerobic conditions at temperatures of 45 to 90° C., NaCl concentrations of 5,000 to 40,000 mg/L and pressures of 0.795 to 169 Kg/cm2 (11.3 to 2,400 psi). Heavy oils are recovered with API gravity equal to or greater than 10 degrees. The process enables up to 21% oil recovery in addition to the waterflooding process in porous media.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a biotechnological process that enhances oil recovery of a 14 to 25 API Gravity oil contained in carbonate-containing and/or clayey sandstone porous rock systems with low permeability (7 to 100 mD), thus focused to petroleum wells associated to zones with low recovery factor. The process utilizes the indigenous extremophile microorganisms activity from the oil reservoir and an IMP culture, as well as its metabolites (gases, acids, solvents and surfactants), which improve oil mobility and are able to develop at 60 to 95° C. temperatures, 7 to 154.6 Kg/cm2 (100 to 2,200 psi) pressures and NaCl content from 5,000 to 45,000 ppm, in anaerobic conditions.