Wastewater Pipelines Research Articles

Evaluating Life-Cycle Unit Costs of Traditional Cement Concrete and New Polymer Concrete Manholes in Wastewater Systems

Wastewater manholes are crucial infrastructure components in sewage systems. They provide necessary access points for inspection and maintenance. However, limited studies were conducted on the life-cycle cost analysis of manholes. The primary objective of this study is to compute and compare the Life-Cycle Unit Cost (LCUC) of cement concrete and polymer concrete manholes to identify a cost-effective alternative for public agencies. To achieve the objective, this study analyzed commonly used 1.83 m diameter manhole data; 343 cement concrete manhole and 88 polymer concrete manhole cost data were collected from the Clark County Water Reclamation District (CCWRD), Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. The results show that the initial costs of polymer concrete are higher than those of traditional cement concrete. Statistical tests were conducted to determine the group differences. The findings show that the LCUCs of polymer concrete manholes are significantly cost-effective when compared to traditional cement concrete manholes. Public agencies can utilize polymer concrete manholes to save costs in future water and wastewater pipeline manhole construction projects.

Pipeline Terracotta Microbial Fuel Cell: Organic Content Biosensor and Energy Harvesting Device Integrated in Wastewater Pipeline.

Wastewater pipelines are present everywhere in urban areas. Wastewater is a preferable fuel for renewable electricity generation from microbial fuel cells. Here, we created an integrated microbial fuel cell pipeline (MFCP) that could be connected to wastewater pipelines and work as an organic content biosensor and energy harvesting device at domestic waste-treatment plants. The MFCP used a pipeline-like terracotta-based membrane, which provided structural support for the MFCP. In addition, the anode and cathode were attached to the inside and outside of the terracotta membrane, respectively. Co-MnO2 was used as a catalyst to improve the performance of the MFCP cathode. The experimental data showed a good linear relationship between wastewater chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration and the MFCP output voltage in a COD range of 200-1900 mg/L. This result implies the potential of using the MFCP as a sensor to detect the organic content of the wastewater inside the wastewater pipeline. Furthermore, the MFCP can be used as a long-lasting sustainable energy harvester with a maximum power density of 400 mW/m2 harvested from 1900 mg/L COD wastewater at 25 °C.

Development and Outlook for Pipeline Inspection Robots

Background:: Robots for pipeline inspection are frequently employed in long-distance oil, wastewater, and natural gas pipelines. Much complex research is being conductedon pipeline inspection robots, including work on fluid-driven and non-fluid-driven, among other things. Research on pipeline inspection robots can be advanced by examining their current stage of development. Additionally, pipeline inspection robots may be able to promote the growth of the pipeline transportation sector by creating new structures. Objective:: This study aims to examine the benefits and drawbacks of several pipeline inspection robots and theirdevelopment trend through the lens of the most recent advancements in the field. Methods:: Through the structure and application scenarios of the latest representative patents of pipeline inspection robots, the working principle and characteristics of pipeline inspection robots are demonstrated. Results:: The shortcomings of the current pipeline inspection robots are highlighted, along with potential future development pathways and research issues, by comparing pipeline inspection robots of various structures. Conclusion:: The development of pipeline inspection robots has benefited the construction of sewage, oil, natural gas, and long-distance pipelines, as well as long-distance pipeline transportation. Because of these robots' unique features and ample room for advancement, pipeline inspection robots have even more development prospects.

Wastewater leakage identification in WWTP and concrete pipelines using integrated geophysical imaging methods

Industry and mining activities covers a broad spectrum of processes that dispose an abundant amount of wastewater. Given the vast array of industries, there are equally large number of heavy metals, organic solvents, and hydrocarbons pollutants associated with its wastewater, posing a great threat to aquifers, especially groundwater. Main contributor of this polluting scheme are from the leakage of underground/surface storage tanks, effluent pipework, industrial sewers, and waste injection system. To ascertain the presence of pollution in the subsoil and groundwater resources, an integrated geophysical method can be the alternative of non-invasive methods. The presence of contaminants in subsoil alters the physical properties of rock formations and decrease pore-water resistance, therefore it can be mapped by geoelectrical resistivity. In this paper, study case was conducted in Medan Industrial Estate, Indonesia, to identify potential leakage under the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and its pipework, using Geoelectrical Wenner and Magnetotelluric Method with 5 lines in the interval of 40-60 meters and Magnetotelluric Method throughout the 175 meters of pipework in the production area. Based on the Geoelectrical Method, an anomaly with a low resistivity value was detected within 7 meters of the ground depth. Meanwhile, in the Magnetotelluric Method, a moderate permittivity value was detected that is local and located within 2 meters depth which is where the pipe and the bottom of the WWTP storage tank is located. In conclusion, based on the results obtained from the Geoelectrical and Magnetotelluric Methods that have been carried out in the WWTP area and along the wastewater pipeline leading to the WWTP, no anomalies were found that lead to waste water leakage.

A Study on the Impact of IoT Technology on the Operation Management of the Wastewater Management Sector

The research aims to analyze the impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology on the operation of the wastewater management (WWM) sector. The study results show that IoT technology could enhance operational process innovation in WWM. It is mainly reflected in wastewater pipeline network management, water quality monitoring, risk monitoring, and equipment maintenance. Through field data collection, transmission, fault detection, and decision-making support, it replaces the conventional manual operation, simplifies the workflow, and improves efficiency. In addition, IoT technology not only improves operation quality, and dependability, and reduces costs, but also improves the environment and water hygiene from the social level. In terms of risk management, IoT technology improves the accuracy and timeliness in hazardous sources monitoring, handling, and potential hazards prediction, to improve the risk management capability. Finally, IoT technology can enhance “demand” management by WWM authorities and provide accurate decision support for base capacity setting, also can solve the constraints of WWM system capacity to improve supply capacity.

Unravelling the FOG Deposit Sources Characteristic in the South Jakarta City Wastewater Network

DKI Jakarta is the largest wastewater contributor in Indonesia, where 75% of it comes from domestic activities. Typically, effluent will enter the river via a system of wastewater pipelines. Numerous wastewater networks have been observed to have FOG deposits (FD), particularly in South Jakarta. FD is an accumulation of oil and grease in sewerage systems that results in blockages and gas accumulation, leading to explosions in closed networks. Despite the impact being well known, there are currently very few studies that focus on Indonesia’s FD, particularly FD in Jakarta’s centralized wastewater network. This study aims to analyse the main sources and characteristics of wastewater that forms FD. Samples from two locations were used to compare the conditions of sewerage without FD and those with FD (A and B, respectively). Results showed that Padang restaurants and catering are the main sources of pollutants affecting FD formation. The FOG concentration in sample B was 2x107 times higher than in sample A, while the TSS concentration was 1.8x104 times higher. The dominant free fatty acid (FFA) in sample B was palmitic acid (51%), resulting in a dense precipitate structure and composition.

Utilization of Augmented Reality Technique for Sewer Condition Visualization

Wastewater pipelines are largely buried underground, and techniques for assessing and visualizing their condition are critical for planning and rehabilitation. This paper introduces a framework for integrating Geographic Information System (GIS), 3D-creation platform, augmented reality (AR) techniques, and machine learning algorithms for the dynamic visualization of the condition of sewer networks. A sewer network in Ålesund City, Norway, was used as a case study, and the developed framework was implemented on an Android OS and Microsoft HoloLens. The results show the potential applications of the integrated framework of GIS, AR, and 3D models for sewer condition visualization. The positioning accuracy of the application for 2D objects is equivalent to that of well-designed GPS receivers (approximately 1–3 m), depending on the handheld device used. Loading and locating 3D objects will be limited by the performance of the devices used.

Experimental Study on Partial Replacement of Cement by GGBS and Fly Ash in Conventional Concrete

Abstract: Cement concrete is widely used in industrial plants, civil infrastructures, wastewater treatment plants and pipelines. It is a highly prone to acid attacks from the surrounding environment. Since acidic environments will accelerate the deterioration of concrete, various types of polymer coating materials are being used to protect the concrete surfaces. Hence an attempt has been made in this investigation on partial replacement of cement with GGBS along with incorporation of fly ash of 20% of the volume of concrete. Various strength parameters of the concrete specimens are tested. The combination used is GGBS with 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% by the weight of cement for M25 grade concrete at an age of 7 days, 28 days and 56 days. Cubes are cast, curried and tested to assess the influence of partial replacement of cement with fly ash and GGBS and then found the optimum content as 20% of GGBS and fly ash 20% from the experimental results. Then final combination is 20% of cement with GGBS along with incorporation of fly ash of 20% percentages of the volume of concrete. The compressive strength values are increased by 10% than those of conventional concrete mixture at a mixture prepared with 20% GGBS and 20% Fly ash. Further increase in GGBS percentage with constant fly ash percentage proved its incompatibility nature where it is shown low strength when compared with controlled concrete mix. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) technique has also been used to get insights into the quality and composition of the concrete, aiding in the assessment of its suitability for specific construction applications.

An Evaluation System for Assessing the Operational Efficiency of Urban Combined Sewer Systems Using AHP—Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation: A Case Study in Shanghai, China

In recent years, China’s urban smart water management has focused on enhancing the quality, efficiency, energy conservation, flood prevention, and control of combined sewer overflow (CSO) and urban waterlogging. To evaluate the combined sewer system’s operation efficiency effectively, a comprehensive evaluation system was established. This system incorporated expert scoring and the coefficient of variation method, considering 31 specific indexes to assess six key aspects: CSO control, waterlogging control, stable wastewater transportation, pipeline management and maintenance, energy conservation, and smart water affairs. The AHP—Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation was employed for evaluation, combining AHP for index weighting and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation for quantitative scoring. The system was applied to assess the operation efficiency of a specific area in Shanghai from 2020 to 2022. Results showed progress in CSO control and energy conservation, with operation efficiency improving from low in 2020 to moderate in 2021 and good in 2022. However, waterlogging control and pipeline management still require improvement in the combined sewer area. Overall, the evaluation system provides valuable insights into the system’s performance, identifying areas for targeted enhancement and emphasizing the need for further improvements to achieve optimal operation efficiency.

Optimizing city-level centralized wastewater management system using machine learning and spatial network analysis

Access to proper sanitation is a basic human right and a crucial component of public health. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) play a critical role in ensuring sanitation access by preventing water pollution. However, in Bandung, one of Indonesia’s strategic cities, only 63% of the population has access to proper sanitation. Therefore, this study aims to identify priority areas for developing a centralized WWTP system using models that consider wastewater production and the availability of sanitation access on a building scale. The novelty of this study lies in integrating wastewater production models and sanitation access availability to prioritize developing WWTP systems at the building level and developing a pipeline model to connect WWTP candidate points with priority building targets. We also analyzed the suitability of optimal WWTP locations to support the development of wastewater treatment systems and determine wastewater pipeline routes using the optimal path method in priority areas. To model wastewater production, we used the number of residents per building and building area as the basis. The availability of sanitation access was modeled by considering the percentage of access per district, identifying urban slums, and analyzing proximity to existing wastewater pipes and rivers. After the modeling process, we classified nine development priority classes. Our results revealed that there is approximately 7.38 km2 of priority area for developing a wastewater treatment system in Bandung which comprises 67,135 priority buildings and 178 potential sites for WWTP. These priority areas are mostly located in the districts of Bojongloa Kaler, Astanaanyar, Batununggal, Kiaracondong, Cibeunying Kidul, Coblong, and Sukajadi. This study’s findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and urban planners to prioritize developing WWTP systems in areas that need them most. It also highlights the importance of considering sanitation access availability and wastewater production models when planning and developing WWTP systems.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions of an Urban Water System in Korea: A case study of Paju city

Objectives : This study assessed the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the urban water system from a life cycle perspective in the city of Paju. It serves as a case study to provide a quantitative basis for the net-zero water management.Methods : The scope of the study included the centralized local water supply and inter-basin water import system (water abstraction facilities, water treatment plants, pump stations, and water pipelines), wastewater system (wastewater pipelines, pump stations, and wastewater treatment plants, public industrial wastewater treatment plants, on-site wastewater treatment facilities), and circular water use (rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, and wastewater recycling). This study considered scope 1 emissions, specifically CH<sub>4</sub> and N<sub>2</sub>O emissions generated from wastewater treatment plants, scope 2 emissions from the electricity use during the operation of water infrastructure, and scope 3 emissions associated with the production of water and wastewater pipelines and chemicals. Scope 1 emissions were quantified using both the national guidelines and the 2019 IPCC guideline, and the estimates based on the two methods were compared. Scope 2 and scope 3 emissions were evaluated using life cycle assessment. To quantify GHG emissions for the year 2018, data were collected or estimated from various sources, including public statistics, field interviews, and the literature.Results and Discussion : In 2018, the total GHG emissions from Paju’s water system were 197.4 thousand tons of CO<sub>2</sub> eq. Among these emissions, the scope 2 emissions accounted for the largest share, comprising 66.3% of the total. Notably, circular water use, which included wastewater recycling for high-quality industrial uses, accounted for 41.0% of the scope 2 emissions. Scope 1 emissions accounted for 25.5% and scope 3 emissions accounted for 8.2% of the total emissions. However, in the case of scope 1 emissions, the estimates varied significantly by 2.9 to 6.5 times, depending on the calculation methods and emission factors provided by two different guidelines.Conclusion : To achieve carbon neutrality in the water sector of the city of Paju, two approaches are required: enhancing energy efficiency to reduce scope 2 emissions and implementing measures to reduce scope 1 emissions. However, to obtain accurate and reliable estimates of the GHG emissions, it is crucial to develop applicable scope 1 emission factors based on field data. Furthermore, to gain a comprehensive understanding of GHG emissions in the water sector, further studies are necessary to analyze embodied GHG emissions in water infrastructure and GHG emissions associated with the end use of water.

Peranan K3 dalam Pelaksanaan Pembangunan Perpipaan Air Limbah Kota Makassar Zona Barat Laut

This study aims to determine the role of discipline, technology, and the environment on the performance of the implementation of the waste water pipeline development of Makassar City in the northwest zone and to determine the variables that have a large role in performance. This research is a type of quantitative research that underlies taking data, determining variables and then measuring with numbers so that analysis can be carried out according to statistical procedures. Based on the research results, the results that most significantly affect the performance of the Makassar City Northwest Zone wastewater piping construction project are discipline, technology, and environmental variables.Based on the results of the analysis value showing the environmental variable (comparison of the value of t_count with t_table, the results shown are the value of t_count > t_table (4,639 > 1,674) then the role of K3 in influencing the implementation of the waste water piping construction of Makassar City in the northwest zone is 45%

Long time persistence and evolution of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in the wastewater of a tertiary care hospital in Germany

BackgroundWorldwide observations revealed increased frequencies of multi-resistant Enterobacterales and resistance genes in hospital wastewater compared to any other type of wastewater. Despite the description of clonal lineages possibly adapted to hospital wastewater, little is known about long term persistence as well as evolution of these lineages. MethodsIn this study, wastewater isolates of different Enterobacterales species from a tertiary care hospital were investigated with 2.5 years distance. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and resistance gene identification were performed for E. coli, C. freundii, S. marcescens, K. pneumoniae, K. oxytoca, and E. cloacae isolates (n = 59), isolated in 2022 and compared with strains isolated from the same wastewater pipeline in 2019 (n = 240). ResultsIndividual clonal lineages with highly related isolates could be identified in all species identified more than once in 2022 that appear to persist in the wastewater drainage. A common motif of all persistent clonal lineages was the carriage of mobile genetic elements encoding carbapenemase genes with hints for horizontal gene transfer in persistent clones in this environment observed over the 2.5-year period. Multiple plasmid replicons could be detected in both years. In 2022 isolates blaVIM-1 replaced blaOXA-48 as the most common carbapenemase gene compared to 2019. Interestingly, despite a similar abundance of carbapenemase genes (>80% of all isolates) at both time points genes encoding extended spectrum β-lactamases decreased over time. ConclusionsThis data indicates that hospital wastewater continuously releases genes encoding carbapenemases to the urban wastewater system. The evolution of the resident clones as well as the reasons for the selection advantage in this specific ecological niche needs to be further investigated in the future.

Hydraulic characteristics of pipelines restored using polymer hoses

Aging water supply and wastewater pipeline systems suffer from corrosion and damage. Trenchless restoration methods extend their lifespan and reduce repairing costs. However, there is no standard method for determining the hydraulic characteristics of restored pipelines, making it challenging to assess the feasibility of using different materials for restoration. This article focuses on changes in hydraulic characteristics after restoring pipelines with glass fiber and synthetic felt hoses. The study uses Bernoulli’s equation and the Chezy formula to estimate changes in the flow capacity of pipelines. Standard values for slopes, flow rates, and filling rates were used to calculate the hydraulic resistance coefficient, Chezy coefficient, and flow rate after laying polymer hoses. The results show that the flow capacity of restored pipelines increases, and there is no need for further hydraulic calculations to confirm the absence of a reduction in pipeline capacity after restoration. Therefore, trenchless restoration methods can be considered as effective means to extend the lifespan of aging pipeline systems and reduce engineering repairs costs.

Anticorrosion Performance of Magnesium Hydroxide Coatings on Steel Substrates

Sewerage systems consist of several different parts, components and materials. Many of them are metallic structures, such as pumps, valves, ladders and wells, which are necessary for the proper operation of wastewater transport systems. Wastewater pipelines can be a highly corrosive environment, mainly due to the presence of biogenic sulfuric acid. In the present study, seven magnesium hydroxide and one magnesium oxide materials were used as protective coatings applied onto the surface of certain stainless steel and mild steel specimens against sulfuric acid corrosion. The coated specimens were subjected to accelerated sulfuric acid spraying tests and their behavior was evaluated by using optical observation, mass measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. According to the results, the coating prepared from a magnesium hydroxide powder with relatively low specific surface area and smaller particle size was optimal for the protection of the examined steel specimens.

Microbiologically influenced corrosion of wastewater pipeline and its mitigation by phytochemicals: Mechanistic evaluation based on spectroscopic, microscopic and theoretical analyses

A wastewater pipeline network is an essential infrastructure for social viability and economical sustainability. The corrosion of pipeline infrastructure can lead to leakage/outflow of toxic materials and pollute the environment, including water bodies. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are primarily accountable for the corrosion of wastewater pipelines. The present study reveals microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) by a newly isolated SRB, i.e., Klebsiella pneumoniae (IIP-C3), from the wastewater pipelines over the mild steel surface. The IIP-C3 formed a bio-film over the mild steel surface. The FeS-based polymorphous materials are produced at bio-interface by reducing inorganic sulfates, which are readily oxidized/hydrolyzed to metal oxide as corrosion products. The methanolic extracts of Capsicum annuum (CA), Zingiber officinale (ZO), and Foeniculum vulgare (FV) are selected based on their antimicrobial activities. The ZO, FV, and CA-based protective coatings showed 91.1%, 77.2%, and 72.7% corrosion mitigation efficiencies for mild steel. The mechanistic interpretation of MIC and its mitigation based on the molecular structure of phytochemicals of plant extracts are further supported by molecular orbital theory. The application of plant extracts suppressed the bio-film growth and minimized the corrosion of mild steel. The present work represents the potential of phytochemicals as alternatives to toxic biocides to mitigate MIC.

Environmental life cycle assessment of different types of the municipal wastewater pipeline network

AbstractWith the onset of social life, humans have considered waste disposal as essential, and they have been able to repel it through brick and clay channels. Checking sewage pipes for energy consumption and a longer lifetime than other sewage system components is important. Climate change and exploitation of industrial resources have made environmental impacts, which are important factors in decision making. The purpose of this study was to introduce the most suitable type of sewage pipe considering environmental protection. Therefore, we applied the environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) method, using Sima Pro 8.2.3 software for the one‐kilometer length of concrete pipes (300 mm in diameter), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene (PE) (315 mm in diameter). Also, the BEES method and sensitivity analysis were used to validate the results. The comparison between three types of municipal wastewater pipes indicated that PE pipes are a more environmentally friendly option than PVC, and concrete pipes in pipe recycling, reducing extraction from untapped resources, and inefficient extraction of resources. Electricity, diesel fuel, and sulfate resistance cement consumption for concrete production are the most pollution elements in the LCA of concrete pipes. Usage of PVC granular, sanitary landfill of PVC pipes, and using hydraulic drill in LCA of PVC pipes are the most elements of generating pollution. The usage of PE granules, PE pipes landfilling, hydraulic excavator, and electricity consumption in the LCA of the PE pipes are the greatest polluting parameters.

Model and protected design of water piping system to minimize the water hammer effect

The effect of the water hammer is investigated to predict the water hammer effect in a wastewater pipeline and to develop the piping system design to overcome the predicted effect. The piping system is sensitive to any effects of the water hammer phenomenon. The sudden change in pressure within pipes or conduits used to transport liquid under pressure may result in serious damage. A modified numerical approach is developed to predict the water hammer effect. The system under study was modified to handle and reduce the effect of water hammer.By calculating the water hammer’s effect, the safe piping system design can be developed. A model was developed to predict the effect of water hammer and the expected pressure drop/increase across the piping system. The pipe properties and measured pressure are the model operating parameters. The maximum and minimum pressure envelopes across the piping system were calculated. By simulating the power failure and/or pump shut down, the model showed a good prediction for the effect of piping system design variations. The optimum design for the piping system was developed and presented.

What Effect Does Rehabilitation of Wastewater Pipelines Have on the Share of Infiltration and Inflow Water (I/I-Water)?

Infiltration and inflow water (I/I-water) is a big challenge in sewage systems in many countries. I/I-water above an acceptable level indicates that the sewage system is not functioning properly. I/I-water leads to increased pumping costs and increased sewage overflow, leading to increased pollution of the receiving waters. Many rehabilitation projects are driven by the need to reduce the share of I/I-water and common measures are to replace pipes and manholes. The share of I/I-water is predominantly driven by rainfall. This makes it difficult to document the efficiency of mitigating measures. One way to address this issue is to compare data from rehabilitation areas to areas where no measures have been implemented. Three rehabilitation areas in Asker Municipality, Norway, were successfully assessed by applying this approach. Asker has a 100% separate system. The strategy to reduce I/I-water in Asker Municipality was to rehabilitate sewage mains, either by full replacement or lining the old pipes, and replacement of manholes. The assessment shows that rehabilitation of selected municipal pipes, pipes proven to be in bad condition through closed circuit TV inspection, reduced the share of I/I-water only to a limited extent. Since the rehabilitation done was not a complete replacement of all pipes and manholes, the limited effects are assumed to be caused by the water finding other ways into the system. In separate systems other measures than renovations of pipes should be considered when aiming to reduce I/I-water.

Aging microplastics in wastewater pipeline networks and treatment processes: Physicochemical characteristics and Cd adsorption

Despite a wealth of information on removal of the microplastics (MPs) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), little attention has been paid to how wastewater treatment process affect the MP physicochemical and adsorption characteristics. In this study, changes in physicochemical property of three MPs, i.e. polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) through the wastewater pipeline, grit and biological aeration tanks were investigated. The results show that compared with virgin MPs, the treated MPs have higher specific surface area and O content, and lower C and H contents, and glass transition temperature, implying that the three treatments cause the chain scission and oxidation of the MPs. Cd adsorption capacities of the MPs are higher than the corresponding virgin MPs after sulfidation in the pipeline (SWPN) and biological treatment in aeration tank (BTAT). Pearson correlation analysis shows that the increase is mainly resulted from the enhancement of the O-containing groups on the MPs. However, Cd adsorption capacities of the MPs decrease after mechanical abrasion in grit tank (MAGT), corresponding to the decrease in carbonyl index. Two dimensional FTIR correlation spectroscopy demonstrates that the NH bond in the PA plays a more important role than CH bond in the adsorption of Cd, but only change of the CH bond is found in the PE and PS. The findings provide new insights into the effect of WWTPs on the MP aging and physicochemical characteristics.