Experimental Evaluation of the Stoichiometry of Sulfide-Related Concrete Sewer Corrosion
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 140, Issue 2
Abstract
Stoichiometry of hydrogen sulfide–induced corrosion of concrete sewers was quantified in a bench-scale experimental setup consisting of six concrete pipe reactors. The setup was installed in an underground sewer research and monitoring station with access to fresh municipal wastewater. Hydrogen sulfide gas was injected intermittently into the headspace of the pipe reactors in peak concentrations of approximately . Mass balance calculations on total injected amounts of hydrogen sulfide gas and observed corrosion depths demonstrated that only a fraction of the hydrogen sulfide gas caused corrosion. The stoichiometry of the corrosion process was found to depend on both duration and level of hydrogen sulfide exposure. The highest fraction of sulfide-causing corrosion was found after extended exposure and low injection frequencies. When sulfide exposure was terminated, a significant potential for sustained corrosion was observed. This was most likely the result of sulfuric acid production from oxidation of reaction intermediates accumulated during sulfide exposure such as elemental sulfur.
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Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 140 • Issue 2 • February 2014
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 7, 2013
Accepted: Oct 4, 2013
Published online: Oct 7, 2013
Published in print: Feb 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Apr 27, 2014
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