A review of microbial corrosion in reclaimed water pipelines: challenges and mitigation strategies

Li Lin,Min Gong,Junchen Meng,Guangming Yang,Jinlong Fan,Feng Liu,Xingwen Zheng

doi:10.2166/wpt.2022.007

Li Lin, Min Gong + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.2166/wpt.2022.007

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Abstract

Abstract With the continuous development and expansion of the water reclamation and reuse market, it is vital to ensure water quality safety and stability over the entire water reuse system. Because the quality of reclaimed water is distinct from that of drinking water, it is likely to deteriorate, even after advanced treatment, during distribution and transport. This review identifies the common microbial corrosion in reclaimed water distribution pipelines and end use applications (e.g. industrial cooling system) and the dominant corrosive microorganisms in reclaimed water. The microbial corrosion mechanism and the affecting factors on microbial corrosion are discussed in depth. Moreover, this study also proposes possible strategies for dealing with pipeline microbial corrosion, including the control of the assimilable organic carbon content via coagulation and filtration processes as well as disinfection technologies for microbial inactivation. This study is of great novelty to provide a comprehensive overview of microbial corrosion in reclaimed water distribution and application and point out future directions towards sustainable and long-lasting water reuse.

Highlights

With the increasing environmental pollution in recent years, the concept of ‘green development’ has been put forward
Chen et al (2013) has observed that the use of disinfectants increases the number of bacteria in the biofilm and that the biodiversity in the membrane depends on the concentration of the disinfectant
This paper aims to give an overview of microbial corrosion situations in reclaimed water distribution pipelines and applications and summarize the key microorganisms, corrosion mechanisms and the main affecting factors

Summary

Introduction

With the increasing environmental pollution in recent years, the concept of ‘green development’ has been put forward. It emphasizes sustainable development via reduced energy consumption, emission reduction, and pollution control, a concept which wastewater treatment and reuse is compatible with. With the development and promotion of treatment technologies, the construction and expansion of reclaimed water pipelines and networks have come onto a fast track of development. By the end of 2019, the total length of the reclaimed water pipe network in China stretched 13,000 km, and the total amount of wastewater treated had reached 46.5 billion cubic meters (m3).

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