MICTEST
MICTEST
Biocontamination Survey for Microbially Influenced Corrosion Exposure Tests
Website: mictest.eu
ABSTRACT
Microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) is a costly problem caused by microorganism growing in the hydrocarbonwater interphase, affecting fuel production and processing equipment, fuel storage tanks, fuel handling systems and other infrastructure. Anti-microbial and/or antibiofilm materials and coatings are promising solution to passively control bio-contamination by preventing the adherence and growth of species to surrounding surfaces. However, methods for assessing antimicrobial materials under industrially-relevant environments are still missing. Studies defining real bio-contamination and key parameters are fundamental.
MICTEST will develop new bio-contamination exposure protocols for lab-scale validation of materials, coatings and components for aircraft fuel systems. MICTEST will be focused on: i) performing an exhaustive sampling of contaminated fuels and materials, ii) defining representative core microbiomes of microorganisms isolated from real samples, iii) determining key parameters mimicking real environments, iv) selecting representatives
coatings, materials and components, and v) proposing the most appropriate combination of technologies for assessing antimicrobial/antibiofilm properties correlated with material degradation, coating performance and the potential effects on fuel properties. Different protocols will be developed and adapted to fuel type, material and environmental conditions that are representative of the bio-contamination developed in real scenarios.
The added value of the new protocols will be demonstrated by performing validation studies in a list of materials (metallic elements, coatings, polymers) in 25L pilot tanks in climatic chambers for comparing the biofilms obtained following the new methods, current methods and the ones using real contaminated fuel samples. A final document including all the sections of international guidelines will be presented to IATA to explore the possibilities for standardization.
Project Budget: 497.933,75 €
LEITAT Budget: 316.782,50 €
Financial Framework: Horizon 2020
Contract number: 831976
Start Date: 01/04/2019
End Date: 31/03/2022
Partners:
Contact Manager: I. Prats
This project has received funding from the Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 831976. This publication reflects only the author’s views and the European Union is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.