Abstract
Microbial induced acid corrosion is accounted for ~40 % of the degradation of subsurface wastewater infrastructure globally. While fundamental process understanding has increased significantly within the last decades, to date no sustainable building material exists, which meets the long-term requirements in such aggressive and corrosive environments. This work describes a novel model based on field studies, conducted in various Austrian sewer networks, intertwining biological, mineralogical and hydro-chemical factors. Additionally, an extensive field testing campaign over the duration of 18 months, conducted on different geopolymer concretes (GPC), particularly designed for the latter environments will be presented. Innovative GPCs were tested regarding their microstructural behavior, microbial accessibility and hydro-chemical alterations over time and compared to commercially produced cement based products, including OPC and CAC concretes. Additionally, the system specific environmental parameters, such as relevant gas concentrations (H2S, CO2, CH4), relative humidity and temperature were constantly monitored.
Highlights
The efficient, safe and cost-effective collection and transport of sewage is a key criterion maintaining expected sanitary standards of modern society [1]
Gained in depth knowledge of the physicochemical construction material characteristics and their impact regarding biofilm adhesion, development and structure form the basis for continuative development of suitable materials
Mortar standard specimens were prepared according to EN-196-1, Newly designed geopolymer concrete specimen were outsourced together with ordinary Portland cement–based (OPC)-based materials, into a sewer system heavily affected by microbial induced concrete corrosion (MICC)
Summary
The efficient, safe and cost-effective collection and transport of sewage is a key criterion maintaining expected sanitary standards of modern society [1]. An extensive field campaign is presented in which innovative geopolymer concretes (GPC) were tested in respect to their overall performance in MICC environments, compared to conventional ordinary Portland and CAC cement based concrete materials. Due to their geopolymer characteristics, they potentially combine positive properties of vitreous ceramics (acid, permeability and abrasion resistance) with advanced performance of concrete pipes (low temperature molding, no dig repair, any pipe diameter possible), while overcoming their individual specific limitations at the same time (Ceramic: brittle, small diameters, dig renewal, higher cost; OPC-based Concrete: low durability) [6]. Each specimen was weighted and surface pH measurements were conducted using an Extech PH100 flat surface electrode
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