Protective material for preventing microbiologically-influenced corrosion in buried conduits

Abstract

An anti-corrosive material used to protect buried conduits from microbiologically-influenced corrosion, or “MIC”. The material preferably comprises a low, medium, or high density polyethylene sleeve having a bactericide impregnated therein such that said bactericide can migrate within the polymer matrix to contact the conduit surface and thereby prevent MIC therein. The material may further comprise a barrier layer of high density polyethylene between the bactericide-containing layer and the environment. The bactericide is able to migrate through the low or medium density polyethylene but the rate of migration of the bactericide is considerably slowed through the high density polyethylene. Thus, the bactericide is substantially prevented from entering the surrounding environment, but rather, is trapped within a “protection zone” adjacent the conduit surface to provide extended protection against microbiologically-influenced corrosion.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.