Kinetic investigation of microbial souring in porous media using microbial consortia from oil reservoirs

Abstract

Microbial souring (H2S production) in porous media was investigated in an anaerobic upflow porous media reactor at 60°C using microbial consortia obtained from oil reservoirs. Multiple carbon sources (formate, acetate, propionate, iso- and n-butyrates) found in reservoir waters as well as sulfate as the electron acceptor was used. Kinetics and rates of souring in the reactor system were analyzed. Higher volumetric substrate consumption rates (organic acids and sulfate) and a higher volumetric H2S production rate were found at the from part of the reactor column after H2S production had stabilized. Concentration gradients for the substrates (organic acids and sulfate) and H2S were generated along the column. Biomass accumulation throughout the entire column was observed. The average specific sulfate reduction rate (H2S production rate) in the present reactor after H2S production had stabilized was calculated to be 11062 ±2.22 mg sulfate-S/day g biomass. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.