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Sampling in gas storage infrastructure


Successful sampling is the basic prerequisite for all further analyses: if the sample is of inferior quality, subsequent analyses cannot be carried out. Through our work with anaerobic microorganisms, we have specialized in taking microbiological samples in a sterile, anaerobic manner and under our specific conditions. Microbify takes both liquid and gas samples from natural gas storage facilities.

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Surface sampling

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Using a specially designed pressure vessel, we can sample live microorganisms from aboveground infrastructure at natural gas storage facilities. The microbiological samples can be taken under the following conditions:

  • sterile (without external contamination)

  • anaerobic (free of oxygen which harms microorganisms)

  • up to 170 bar pressure

  • up to 950 mL sample volume


Underground sampling - SOFYNOX®

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Microbify together with SOCON Sonar Control Kavernenvermessung GmbH has developed a method to sample liquid media from gas caverns or reservoirs without damaging the microorganisms living there. This allows a reliable and fully comprehensive microbiological analysis of gas reservoirs, which is carried out by Microbify.

Advantages of the SOFYNOX® method

Microorganisms that have settled in gas reservoirs die quickly on contact with atmospheric oxygen and can be damaged by rapid decompression (pressure drop from reservoir to atmospheric pressure). If this is the case, subsequent analyses are of little value because the sample no longer reflects the situation in the reservoir. The SOFYNOX® method developed by Microbify and SOCON ensures sampling free of atmospheric oxygen and with slow decompression. This is the only way to reliably collect data. In addition, Microbify has developed methods to safely sample aboveground plant components and to perform reliable microbiological analyses.

Microbiological investigations of gas caverns and reservoirs should be performed for the following problems and issues.

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SOCON logo

Biocorrosion

If corrosion and deposits are observed on storage facilities, it is usually biocorrosion caused by microorganisms. To avoid damage and high maintenance costs, the plant should be examined microbiologically.

  • Analysis of the causes of biocorrosion

  • Development of strategies to combat

  • and avoidance of biocorrosion

microbially-influenced corrosion gas storage hydrogen storage

Preservation of gas quality
Microorganisms in gas storage facilities can degrade gas quality and form hydrogen sulfide, for example.

  • Analysis of microorganisms living in the storage facility

  • Assessment of the microbial hazard potential

biocorrosion gas quality hydrogen

Hydrogen storage

In the future, a large proportion of natural gas will be replaced by hydrogen. The suitability of a facility for H2 storage also depends on the microorganisms living in the storage.

  • Investigation for H2-consuming microorganisms

  • Expert opinion on the suitability of storage facilities for H2 storage

microbiology hydrogen storage

Underground methanation

In particular, pore storage facilities can be used to produce "green natural gas" from (green) hydrogen and CO2 in them. This can be done in parallel with storage operation and make the storage facility more economically viable.

  • Suitability of plants as production sites for renewable gas

  • Establishment of the production process for "green natural gas

Underground methanation
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