CDM News - August 2007 - (Page 9)

temperature) along with an assessment of current corrosion inhibitor practices. The participating utilities—ranging in capacity from 7 million gallons per day to 1.45 billion gallons per day— represent groundwater and surface water systems using a wide range of treatment technologies, but all have concrete or cement-lined pipe in their distribution systems and use corrosion inhibitors. This data will guide the study’s second phase, which will involve small-scale testing to measure phosphate interactions with concrete. A series of 10 experimental rigs, simulating the hydraulic features of a typical distribution system, will expose concrete coupons (or test samples) to varying water chemistries. The coupons will then be examined and analyzed to determine any degradation. “This project will be an educational and challenging one at the same time. Based on our preliminary testing, the utilities present a tremendous level of diversity in corrosion problems and we’re already seeing some interesting trends,” said Atassi. The study’s final phase will involve field sampling and testing at several of the utilities, using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry to determine how water quality changes as it passes through full-scale, concrete infrastructure in real circumstances. “This project will be an educational and challenging one at the same time. Based on our preliminary testing, the utilities present a tremendous level of diversity in corrosion problems and we’re already seeing some interesting trends.” —Amrou Atassi, P.E., CDM project manager and co-principal investigator Best Approaches to Protect Concrete Assets Final research results will yield best approaches to protecting key concrete infrastructure assets, which will be of critical importance to the water industry over the next few years. “Because these assets have a replacement value measured in the hundreds of billions of dollars, obtaining even small percentage extensions in the useful lifetime is highly significant,” noted Edwards. “Given the economic value of the assets we are trying to protect, we look forward to generating cost-effective and practical solutions that can be tailored to specific situations at utilities around the country.” | Daryl E. Shepard In this landmark study, concrete samples are exposed to varying water conditions—based on water quality data from 20 utilities from across the United States—to determine the corrosive effects of phosphate inhibitors on concrete and cement-lined pipes. 9

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of CDM News - August 2007

Contents Envisioning Tomorrow’s Dublin Initiative & Innovation Stabilize Mercury Mines Preserving Old Town Alexandria Taking a Hard Look at Concrete Corrosion Perspective: Harnessing Bioenergy Engineering Better Lives CDM Announces Award-Winning Projects People Highlights

CDM News - August 2007

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