Characteristics of iron corrosion scales and water quality variations in drinking water distribution systems of different pipe materials. (1st December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Manjie; Liu, Zhaowei; Chen, Yongcan; Hai, Yang
• Is Part Of: Water research. Volume 106(2016)
• Page Start: 593
• Page End: 603
• Publication Date: 2016-12-01
• Subjects: Corroded pipe -- Scale characteristics -- Water quality -- Pipe materials -- Iron release -- Water distribution systems; DO dissolved oxygen -- EDS Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy -- GIP galvanized iron pipe -- HP hybrid pipe -- HRT hydraulic retention time -- ICDD International Center for Diffraction Data -- ICP Inductively Coupled Plasma -- LDIP lined ductile iron pipe -- ORP oxidation reduction potential -- SEM Scanning Electron Microscope -- UCIP unlined cast iron pipe -- WDS water distribution systems -- XRD X-ray Diffraction; Water -- Pollution -- Research -- Periodicals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.10.044
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1354

Abstract

Abstract: Interaction between old, corroded iron pipe surfaces and bulk water is crucial to the water quality protection in drinking water distribution systems (WDS). Iron released from corrosion products will deteriorate water quality and lead to red water. This study attempted to understand the effects of pipe materials on corrosion scale characteristics and water quality variations in WDS. A more than 20-year-old hybrid pipe section assembled of unlined cast iron pipe (UCIP) and galvanized iron pipe (GIP) was selected to investigate physico-chemical characteristics of corrosion scales and their effects on water quality variations. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) were used to analyze micromorphology and chemical composition of corrosion scales. In bench testing, water quality parameters, such as pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), oxidation reduction potential (ORP), alkalinity, conductivity, turbidity, color, Fe 2+, Fe 3+ and Zn 2+, were determined. Scale analysis and bench-scale testing results demonstrated a significant effect of pipe materials on scale characteristics and thereby water quality variations in WDS. Characteristics of corrosion scales sampled from different pipe segments show obvious differences, both in physical and chemical aspects. Corrosion scales were found highly amorphous. Thanks to the protection of zinc coatings, GIP system was identified as the best water quality stability, in spite of high zinc release potential. It is deduced that the complicated composition of corrosion scales and structural break by the weld result in the diminished water quality stability in HP system. Measurement results showed that iron is released mainly in ferric particulate form. Graphical abstract: Highlights: A hybrid pipe was adopted for study to distinguish effects of pipe materials. Pipe materials significantly affect characteristics of scales and water quality. Corrosion products were found to be mostly amorphous. Zinc coating benefits water quality stability, except for zinc release. Worse water quality tends to turn up in structural breaks.