Corrosion in a phosphate slurry pipeline

Localized corrosion occurred in a 27-mile (43-km) phosphate slurry pipeline in mountainous terrain of southeast Idaho. Sulfate-reducing bacteria, Desulfovibrio sp., found within pits appeared to be responsible for the localized attack. However, dissolved oxygen in the slurry caused the primary corrosion in the pipeline. Preventive maintenance involved corrosion monitoring and periodic replacement of upstream pipeline sections where corrosion damage exceeded design specifications