Industrial Spills and Water Distribution: Crude MCHM Sorption and Desorption in Polymer Pipes and Linings
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 142, Issue 10
Abstract
In response to industrial chemical spills that potentially contaminate drinking water and distribution systems, this study investigated sorption and desorption of odorous crude [(4-methylcyclohexyl)methanol] (MCHM) into polyethylene pipes, epoxy, or polyurethane linings, and granular activated carbon. MCHM sorption was compared to toluene and 1-butanol, which were investigated as reference contaminants. MCHM is the licorice-smelling industrial chemical that contaminated drinking water for over 300,000 West Virginians in 2014. For polyethylene pipes, MCHM diffusivity was and solubility was . Sorbed MCHM readily desorbed from polyethylene into water at levels above the odor threshold. MCHM diffused more rapidly into epoxy at , although its solubility was similar to that of polyethylene pipes. MCHM caused polyurethane to swell and deform. Granular activated carbon sorbed MCHM to below its odor threshold as determine by the Total Intensity of Odor method. Sorption properties of MCHM into polyethylene were similar to the polar contaminant 1-butanol and dissimilar to the nonpolar contaminant toluene, which is known to exhibit rapid diffusivity and high solubility.
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Acknowledgments
Partial funding was provided by the National Science Foundation, CBET Award # 1424234. Ms. Ahart was also support by the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Virginia Tech through a teaching assistantship and the Matthew Gwaltney Memorial Fellowship, and an internship through the Edna Bailey Sussman Foundation. Expressed opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funding agencies.
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Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 142 • Issue 10 • October 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 9, 2015
Accepted: Jan 8, 2016
Published online: Apr 7, 2016
Discussion open until: Sep 7, 2016
Published in print: Oct 1, 2016
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