Diagnostic Testing

We are not sure what is causing problems in our system.  Which diagnostic product should we use?
When causative agents are unknown, it is important to get the most complete microbiological and chemical information possible.  The type of diagnostic test kit best-suited to your application depends in large part on what type of system you will be testing.  In general, our MICkit® Comprehensive works well for many testing applications.  For facilities using cathodic protection or coatings, our MICkit® 5 used along with our MICkit® 4 provides the appropriate microbiological and chemical information.  We also offer industry-specific test kits such as the MICkit® Barge and MICkit® FPS, which allow testing appropriate for the unique needs of those industries.  To view recommended diagnostic test kits by industry, visit our Industries section of the website.  Or contact us to discuss your particular testing needs.


How soon after sample collection should samples be tested for viable bacteria and chemical factors?
Tests for viable bacteria and chemical factors should be done immediately (within several minutes) after sample collection, regardless of the type of sample.  If this is not done, chemical parameters—such as oxygen, pH, and sulfide—may change.  Also, certain microbes—such as anaerobes and sulfate reducing bacteria—in the sample may die, while low nutrient bacteria and other aerobes may multiply.  This is what led BTI Products to develop MICkits®.  They are easy to use and allow on-site testing that provides accurate and reliable results.


Where should diagnostic microbial and chemical testing be performed?
Critical locations for diagnostic microbial and chemical testing vary depending on the type of system and other factors, such as the configuration of the system.  “Hot spots” (areas that have experienced problems such as blockages or failures) should always be included in any diagnostic assessment.  Inspections should also include areas that are likely to experience problems based on the type and configuration of the system.  We can assist you in identifying locations where testing should be done.  Contact us for more information.


Who should perform diagnostic microbial and chemical testing?
There are several options for performing diagnostic testing.  We offer a variety of on-site Diagnostic Test Kits that provide all supplies and instructions necessary for field personnel to perform microbial and chemical testing.  We also offer Viable Cultures Analyses which are performed on samples sent to our laboratory and On-Site Diagnostic Facility Assessments, where our personnel come to your facility and perform diagnostic and inspection testing on-site.  Choosing the best testing option often depends upon your facility’s particular needs.  Contact us for more information.


Does your microbiological media test for specific strains of bacteria?
BTI Products’ test media identify various functional groups of bacteria (e.g., acid producing bacteria, sulfate reducing bacteria) but do not identify specific strains (e.g., Desulfovibrio desulfuricans).  Many hundreds, or perhaps thousands, of species of microbes can be involved in MIC, and these species often vary from site to site without changing the fact that MIC is present or the manner in which it needs to be treated.  Identifying specific bacterial strains is expensive, time-consuming, and provides little useful information since the ultimate goal is to treat systems for all types/groups of bacteria involved in sliming, deposition, and MIC, not just certain species of bacteria.


Should we use regular formulation or marine formulation media?
Regular formulation media is sufficient for most samples.  Most organisms, even those found in brackish waters, are terrestrial in origin—i.e., they get washed into brackish waters from soil and fresh waters.  BTI Products’ regular formulation media will grow these organisms and organisms from brackish waters because the media already contains some salt.

Only true marine bacteria require marine media, which contains seawater concentrations of salt (about 30,000 parts per million salt).  Contact us if you have questions about which formulation media is best suited to your application.


What is the shelf life of the media and MICkit® test kits?
Most of our media and MICkits® have a shelf life of one year from the date of purchase. All expiration dates are marked on product labels.  For more information, see specific products in the Products portion of this website.


How quickly are test kit results available?
Chemical test data are available immediately.  Preliminary viable bacteria test data are available as soon as two days after sample processing.  Final viable bacteria results are obtained fifteen days after sample processing.


What types and levels of bacteria should be of concern?
Numbers and types of bacteria that should be a cause for concern depends upon several factors, including:  the type of facility being tested, the type of sample (e.g., liquid, soil), and whether or not the facility is being treated specifically for bacteria.  To discuss levels of concern for your particular application, please contact us.


Why perform microscopic analysis along with viable bacteria tests?
Microscopic analysis can provide important clues about the types, numbers, and health of bacterial cells and communities in the sample—even in old, dried-out, or biocide-treated samples, which may contain no live microbes.  The total microbial count data can be compared with the number of viable (live) bacteria, obtained using BTI Products’ MICkits®, to determine if biocide treatments are working.


Why perform chemical analysis along with viable bacteria testing?
Chemical analysis can provide essential information about chemical factors—such as oxygen, chloride, hardness, etc.—that greatly influence the occurrence and rates of corrosion and aid in properly diagnosing problems affecting the system.  This information is also useful in determining which cleaning and treatment agents will be effective.


When should visual inspection of a system for MIC be done?
Visually inspecting and documenting conditions in piping and system components is most effectively done after diagnostic microbial and chemical testing has been performed.  Once results from such testing are available, it is possible to determine where in the system MIC is likely occurring and the potential severity of MIC at these locations.  With this information, system inspections can be done on those areas most likely to be experiencing problems, which saves time and money.


What are the benefits of visual system inspection?
There are several benefits of visual system inspections.  First, they provide confirmation that a particular problem is, in fact, occurring in the system.  In the case of MIC, inspecting piping and other system components for telltale signs of MIC helps to confirm suspected cases of MIC.  Second, inspections provide information that helps to determine distribution of the problem (i.e., where in the system problems are occurring).  Third, they help in determining severity of the problem (i.e., how bad the problem is).  All of this information is critical to designing a simple, effective, and cost-saving mitigation plan that targets the problems affecting the system.


Where in the system should inspections be done?
Critical locations for system inspection vary depending on the type of system and other factors, such as the configuration of the system.  “Hot spots” (areas that have experienced problems such as blockages or failures) should always be included in any inspection.  Inspections should also include areas that are likely to experience problems based on the type and configuration of the system.  We can assist you in identifying locations where inspections should be done. Contact us for more information.


Who should perform system inspections?
There are several options for performing system inspections.  We offer an on-site test kit, the MICkit® Pipe Inspection Kit, that provides all tools and instructions necessary for field personnel to perform system inspections.  We also offer Materials Lab Analyses services which are performed on samples sent to our laboratory and On-Site Diagnostic Facility Assessments, where our personnel come to your facility and perform diagnostic and inspection testing on-site.  Choosing the best inspection option often depends upon your facility’s particular needs. Contact us for more information.


Is a degree or experience in MIC testing required to use your products?
No special schooling or experience is required to use our products.  All of our products are designed specifically for on-site use by field personnel.  All our diagnostic, treatment, and monitoring products come with complete, step-by-step instructions.  And, if you ever need help, contact us and our experienced personnel will assist you.


How should the test materials be disposed of after they’ve been used?
Please see the Product Disposal section of the FAQ's which addresses this question.


We would rather have experienced personnel test our systems than do it ourselves.  Can BTI Products help us?
Yes.  Our On-site Diagnostic Facility Assessments are often the preferred option for clients who want our experts to perform system testing.  We also offer On-Site Personnel Training for those clients wishing to train their field personnel in on-site testing, mitigation, and/or monitoring.  Contact us to discuss your facility’s particular needs.


Why do we need to test our system if we already know it has problems?
Because a variety of industrial problems have similar symptoms, it is important to determine underlying mechanisms in order to treat the problem effectively.  Diagnostic testing is a relatively inexpensive way of pinpointing mechanisms involved.  This, in turn, helps determine which mitigation options will be effective in treating the actual problems affecting the system.  Testing can also be used to determine where in the system problems are occurring so that mitigation can focus on those problem areas.  For these reasons, diagnostic testing often saves considerable time and money in the long run.


Why should we test our system if it hasn’t had any problems?
Most people define not having problems as “not having had failures.”  Just because a system hasn’t experienced any failures to date does not mean mechanisms responsible for such failures (such as MIC and other types of corrosion) are absent from the system.  If left unchecked, these mechanisms often will progress to the point of failures. 

Testing a system for microbial and chemical parameters that indicate the potential for MIC and other forms of corrosion can aid in identifying problems before they progress to more advanced stages.  Mitigating such problems early on is less expensive and less time-consuming than waiting until problems are advanced.


Can we tell if our system has MIC by simply inspecting the system for physical signs?
While it’s true that many symptoms of MIC are visible to the naked eye, these physical signs are often only apparent once MIC has progressed to more advanced stages.  Since economical and effective treatment is more easily achieved in the earlier stages of MIC development, which is often not easily detectable using the naked eye, it is important to identify MIC in its early stages.  One of the most effective ways of doing this is by using BTI Products’ MICkit® and MIPkit™ test kits to test samples from the system for microbial and chemical indicators of MIC activity.