Mikrobielle Werkstoffzerstörung – Simulation,Schadensfälle und Gegenmaßnahmen für metallische Werkstoffe: Manganoxidierende Bakterien und Lochkorrosion an Turbinenteilen aus CrNi-Stahl in einem Laufkraftwerk

Microbial deterioration of materials – simulation, case histories and countermeasures for metallic materials: Manganese oxidizing bacteria and pitting of turbine components made of CrNi steel in a hydroelectric power plant In a hydroelectric power plant pitting corrosion of the turbine runner blades (material G-X 5 CrNi 13 4) and the discharge ring (X 3 CrNi 13 4) ocurred at chloride levels of 170 mg/l maximum. Both, potentiostatic stepwise experiments and immersion tests gave no indication for susceptibility to pitting or crevice corrosion of this material in such water. Analysis of calcareous deposits found on the metal surface revealed high amounts of manganese dioxide. It is shown experimentally, that the CrNi-steel can undergo chloride induced pitting corrosion if polarized by manganese dioxide. Manganese oxidizing bacteria and possibly fungi were found to form the deposits. This case may be considered as microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) under aerobic conditions.