Synergistic effects of sodium hypochlorite disinfection and iron-oxidizing bacteria on early corrosion in cast iron pipes

doi:10.1007/s11783-021-1506-3

Front. Environ. Sci. Eng.

2022, Vol. 16

Issue (6) : 72 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-021-1506-3

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Synergistic effects of sodium hypochlorite disinfection and iron-oxidizing bacteria on early corrosion in cast iron pipes

Weiying Li^1,²(

), Yu Tian^1,², Jiping Chen^1,², Xinmin Wang^1,², Yu Zhou^1,², Nuo Shi^1,²

¹. State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
². College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China

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Abstract

• The early corrosion process in the cast iron pipes was investigated.

• The increase of NaOCl (<0.75 mg/L) accelerated the cast iron corrosion.

• Biocorrosion caused by IOB could be divided into three stages in the early stage.

• Synergistic and antagonistic effects exist between residual chlorine and IOB.

Corrosion in drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs) may lead to pipe failures and water quality deterioration; biocorrosion is the most common type. Chlorine disinfectants are widely used in DWDSs to inhibit microorganism growth, but these also promote electrochemical corrosion to a certain extent. This study explored the independent and synergistic effects of chlorine and microorganisms on pipeline corrosion. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) at different concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 mg/L) and iron-oxidizing bacteria (IOB) were added to the reaction system, and a biofilm annular reactor (BAR) was employed to simulate operational water supply pipes and explain the composite effects. The degree of corrosion became severe with increasing NaOCl dosage. IOB accelerated the corrosion rate at an early stage, after which the reaction system gradually stabilized. When NaOCl and IOB existed together in the BAR, both synergistic and antagonistic effects occurred during the corrosion process. The AOC content increased due to the addition of NaOCl, which is conducive to bacterial regrowth. However, biofilm on cast iron coupons was greatly influenced by the disinfectant, leading to a decrease in microbial biomass over time. More research is needed to provide guidelines for pipeline corrosion control.

Keywords Cast iron pipe corrosion Drinking water distribution systems Chlorine disinfection Iron-oxidizing bacteria Coupling effects

Corresponding Author(s): Weiying Li

Issue Date: 11 October 2021

Cite this article:

Weiying Li,Yu Tian,Jiping Chen, et al. Synergistic effects of sodium hypochlorite disinfection and iron-oxidizing bacteria on early corrosion in cast iron pipes[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2022, 16(6): 72.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/10.1007/s11783-021-1506-3
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/Y2022/V16/I6/72

Tab.1 Composition of the cast iron coupons

Fig.1 Concentrations of (a) iron (Fe), (b) calcium (Ca), (c) magnesium (Mg), (d) aluminum (Al), (e) manganese (Mn), and (f) copper (Cu) in test water by NaOCl dosage. Dashed line represents the original water condition.

Fig.2 Electrochemical assay results: (a) polarization curves of specimens after 168 h of stagnation, (b) change rate of corrosion current density, and (c)-(f) EIS of specimens by NaOCl level. Change rate of corrosion current density (η (η = i_m/i₁–1)) was calculated for comparison because the initial states of cast iron specimens were slightly different; i_m is the corrosion current density on day m and i₁ is the initial value.

Fig.3 X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of corrosion scale on the surface of cast iron specimens with different NaOCl dosages (A: albite, B: brownmillerite, C: calcite, D: dolomite, G: goethite, I: iron sulfide).

Fig.4 (a), (b) Concentrations of metal elements with IOB and (c) change trend of free bacteria in the water and adherent bacteria in the biofilm over time (reaction conditions: initial concentration of IOB= 1 × 10⁵ CFU/mL, pH= 7.5, temperature= 30°C).

Fig.5 (a) Change trend in corrosion current density, (b) Nyquist plot of cast iron with IOB after 144 h of stagnation, and (c) schematic diagram of the three stages.

Fig.6 SEM micrographs of corrosion and scale products on cast iron coupons in BAR, week eight. (a), (b) tubercle structure, (c) middle hard shell-like layer, and (d) inner porous layer.

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