A microbial fuel cell measuring system for corrosion assessment

Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is a huge problem for components put into service in unclean industrial systems and marine environment. For this reason, developing new and more effective testing methodologies for the study of this form of corrosion is surely an important need. An innovative approach consists in the use of Microbial Fuel Cells as environment in which to carry out tests to assess the resistance of a specific material to MIC. This new methodology will be described, presenting possible studies that can be performed and information that can be gained. Moreover, a new measuring setup has been developed, which enables researchers to get more specific information about the test, assessing all current flows inside the Fuel Cell. Two different materials (low carbon steel and stainless steel) have been used to carry out different experiments and validate the employed methodology. Results obtained with this measuring system have been then compared with those of a simpler setup, showing the effectiveness of this apparatus in studying MIC.