The potential ennoblement of corrosion resistant metals, such as stainless steel, is thought to be one of the processes of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). In order to prevent MIC, the electrical potential of metals must keep under a critical level. Electrical potential monitoring and control is necessary to prevent MIC in a cooling water
environment. A new type of monitoring and control system has been developed in this study. The concept of this system is to detect hazardous MIC at low levels, and to control the microorganisms proactively. In order to detect the microbiological activity, electrical potential measurement is carried out using a specific sensor electrode made of stainless
steel. This system is also able to dose the cooling water with a high concentration of non-oxidizing biocide automatically when the potential of the sensor electrode reaches the set point. After biocide addition, the ennobled potential decreases to a safe potential level. By using this system, satisfactory cooling water conditions can be achieved without the
risk of MIC. This paper will introduce this monitoring and control system along with case histories.
Keywords: microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), monitoring, microbiological control, cooling water, biocide, stainless steel, electrical potential measurement