MIC Corrosion Tek offers, in its patent pending Blutube testing series, a microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) test for MIC bacteria, in natural gas pipelines.  

The sample may be obtained through any partially opened valve on the pipeline or processing equipment. The Blutube samplers open end is inserted into the escaping gas stream. The Blutube natural gas sampler collects bacteria being transferred by the velocity of the gas, as it travels down the pipeline. The flow through design of the Blutube collects bacteria from a large volume of gas, as the gas travels through the bed of a bacteria collecting bio-absorbent.  The Blutube is then capped, prepared for shipping and sent back to our laboratories for analysis with an included 2-day prepaid FedEx label*. We perform cultural growth testing and issue a report, within 15-business days, on the quantitative and qualitative properties of the MIC bacteria present plus a potential corrosion aggressiveness profile.

DNA analysis of the bacteria is also available (Additional Charge)

Acid Producing (APB), Sulfate Reducing (SRB), Iron Related (IRB) and Heterotrophic (GHB) bacteria are analyzed. These four classifications of bacterium are responsible for over 95% of all microbiological corrosion.

The Blutube natural gas sampler may be used as a monitoring tool for in-place abatement programs and as a diagnostic tool to determine the corrosion potential for MIC bacterium.

Testing is performed in accordance to NACE, API and ASTM Standards

*Free Shipping from within USA and Canada Only.