Water treatment:

microbiological aspects

Class 7
Last class:
• Microbiology basics
• Biotechnology basics
In this class:
• Microbial diversity in produced water

• Sampling

• Control
Importance
• Present in produced water

• Can cause:

• Clogging

• Corrosion (MIC)
Diversity
• Microorganisms

• Bacteria

• Fungi

• Algae

• Protozoos
Bacteria
• The most common in the reservoir
Fungi
• The least common, do not give much trouble
Algae
• Common in tanks and “standing” waters
Protozoos
• Rare, do not cause much problems
Macroorganisms
• Important in sea water
Biological aspects
• Every living being, needs certain conditions to support life

• oxygen

• pH

• salinity
Bacteria
• Extremely high growth rate. Thus, they are the ones that
cause the most problems.

• Do not need light or oxygen*

• Troublesome Bacteria:
• Produce hydrogen sulphide
• Produce organic acids
• Produce corrosive enzimes
• Oxidize iron
Sulphur-reducing Bacteria
• The most problematic microorganisms in the industry

• Produce H2S as a by-product of tis metabolism

• Can cause:
• MIC
• Acidification of the fluid
• Increase corrosion due to sulphur availability
• Iron sulphide deposit formation
Sulphur-reducing Bacteria
Sulphur-reducing Bacteria
• Oxygen  anaerobic

• Salinity  does not affect growth rate

• Temperature  highly adaptable and tolerant(4°C-77°C)

• pH  wide range(5-9)

• Pressure  up to 14.500 psi

• The higher the pressure, the higher the temperatura they tolerate
Sulphur-reducing Bacteria
• In order to live, they need sources of:

• Carbon. Do not use petroleum

• Nitrogen and phosphorus
• Dissolved iron
• Sulphur

• They can growth in aerobic or anaerobic conditions

Reservoir contamination
• “sweet” reservoirs can sour due to:

• Contaminated equipment

• Injection of water contaminated with SRB

• Very risky when sea water is injected

• Almost imposible to solve

Other relevant bacteria
• Iron oxydizers oxydize
soluble iron and precipitate
it, increasing corrosión rate

• Sludge forming create

biofilms and sludges,
increasing corrosión rate and
prevenitng inhibitors,e tc to
work
Bacteria culture
• Use of specific, sterile cultures
Bacteria detection
• Culture

• Microscopy and staining

• ATP Photometry

• Enzyme determination
• Hydrogenase
• APS reductase
Water sampling
• Sampling points:
• Water source (river, well spout, sea/ocean)
• Vessels, tanks and filters simple incoming and outcoming water
• Injection wells

• Use of sterile containers

• Inoculate inmediately
• Minimize oxygen exposure
• Microbiological analysis of deposits
Water sampling
• In the case of sesile, or sludge forming
bacteria:
Bacteria control methods
• Bactericide  kill bacteria

• Bacteriostatic  slow growth rate

• Biocide  kills every living being

• Biostatic  slow growth rate of every living being

Bacteria control methods
• Inorganic compounds
• Chlorine
• Chlorine dioxide

• Organic compounds
• Aldehydes  do not penetrate biofilms
• Ammonium quaternary compounds (quats) and amines 
active in surface and detergent action; very affected by salinity
Chlorination
• Most commonly used option

• Effectivity depends on pH alcalien pH, less activity

• It can react with other compounds in the system, reducing

effectivity

• It can form scales and deposits if there are high

concentrations of H2S or iron compounds
Chlorination
• Check
compatibility with
system fuild

• Gas or liquid
Chlorination
• Hipochlorite
generators
Bacteria control methods
• Bactericide  control SRB

• Bacteriostatic  other less troublesome bacteria

• Resistant bacteria

• Bacteria do not develop chlorine resistance

Bacteria control methods
• Before using bactericides or bacteriostatics CLEAN THE
SYSTEM

• Eliminate standing ro slow velocity areas

• Sterilize the system

• Begin treatment

• Monitor effectivity
Bacteria control methods
• UV radiation

• Alternative and economic* treatment

• Depends on time and intensity of exposure

UV Radiation
In this class:
• Microbial diversity
• SRB
• Sludge forming microorganisms
• Iron oxydizers

• Sampling methods
• Control methods
• Chlorination
Next class:
• Exam II

• Corrosion II
• Microbiology and biotechnology basics
• Water treatment: microbiological aspects (this class)