Chemical Attack on Concrete in Wastewater Treatment Plant: A Review

Abstract

Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) has become one of the most important structures nowadays and concrete is considered to be the most suitable material for the construction of this kind of structure for its several useful properties like durability, compressive strength, impermeability, abrasion resistance, etc. However in an aggressive environment, with the effects of constituents of wastewater and different chemicals applied in the treatment process of wastewater, concrete’s performance is greatly challenged. Chemicals like acid, sulfides, sulfates, salt, and gases generated from different reactions, micro-organisms, etc. can cause chloride ingress, carbonation, corrosion, sulfate attack, bio-deterioration, and erosion of concrete in wastewater treatment plants. As a consequence, a large amount of money is spent on the maintenance and repair works for wastewater treatment plants every year. Therefore, the quality of the concrete used in structures like WWTP must be very high. This study aims to explore the detrimental effects of various harmful chemicals on concrete in wastewater treatment plants, degradation mechanisms, and different methods of enhancing the resistance of concrete. The study also represents the current scenario of Bangladesh regarding this issue with the help of some excellent references, codes, and guidelines of important organizations and practical surveys.