Impact of micelles on the biocidal efficiency in a diesel-water interface

• Published in: Surface and interface analysis 2007-06, Vol.39 (6), p.533-541
• Main Authors: Muthukumar, N., Maruthamuthu, S., Ilangovan, A., Palaniswamy, N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: biocide; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid surfaces and fluid-fluid interfaces; General and physical chemistry; General, apparatus, technics of preparation; interface; micelle; Physics; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); surfactants
• ISSN: 0142-2421; 1096-9918
• DOI: 10.1002/sia.2553

Biodegradation occurs in the diesel/water interface in petroleum product pipelines. The microbial contamination can result in inhibitor/fuel degradation, leading to unacceptable levels of turbidity, filter plugging, storage tank corrosion and stored product souring. Therefore, selection of the biocide/inhibitor plays an important role in the transportation of petroleum products through pipelines. Three biocides (cationic and nonionic) were employed to study the biodegradation in a diesel‐water interface. The biocidal efficiency against degradation of diesel was examined by employing Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) techniques. Bronopol (2‐bromo‐2‐nitro‐propane‐1, 3‐diol) was found to have higher bactericidal efficiency than N‐cetyl‐N,N, N‐trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and cetyl pyridinum bromide (CPB). But the cationic biocides (CTAB and CPB) showed good biocidal efficiency at the interface. The data are explained in terms of a model that postulates the formation of a ‘micelle’ at the diesel‐water interface. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.