Importance of Pb and Cu Particulate Species for CorrosionControl
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume
130
Issue
2
Publisher
American Society of Civil Engineering
Publication Date
2004
First Page
136
Last Page
144
Abstract
This paper examines the important, and oftentimes dominant, role of particles in lead and copper corrosion by-product release from stagnant pipes. For copper pipes, orthophosphate generally reduced soluble copper levels compared to pipes with no inhibitor but had little effect on particulate copper, while pipes dosed with polyphosphate generally had higher levels of particulate copper, probably due to the formation of a less durable copper–phosphate solid. For lead, the vast majority of lead by-products were particulate, and particulate release in low pH and low alkalinity waters was associated with hydrocerrusite scales. Orthophosphate and polyphosphate tended to decrease particulate lead species, possibly due to the formation of a lead–phosphate solid. For both lead and copper pipes, zinc orthophosphate did not show any significant advantages compared to orthophosphate alone, generally due to the increased release of particulate lead or copper species which may be associated with a zinc–phosphate precipitate. Finally, the occurrence of particulate and colloidal species, especially lead, was confirmed by utility tap water sampling.
Recommended Citation
McNeill, L.S. and M. Edwards, “Importance of Pb and Cu Particulate Species for Corrosion Control,” Journal of Environmental Engineering, 130(2), 136-144, February 2004.