Influence of dissolved organic carbon on copper corrosion
Investigation of the corrosion characteristics of synthetic and real waters in dynamic pipe-rig tests according to DIN 50931-1 to assess the effect of a natural groundwater DOC
Based on the results of a joint monitoring program of the German Federal Environmental Agency (UBA) and the copper industry on the copper concentration in domestic installations, recently the applicability range for copper in these systems was redefined. Due to the introduction of the TOC (total organic carbon) into the evaluation scheme, the situation changed for consumers, water utilities, and health authorities.
On this background, the TZW reevaluated its data on copper corrosion from a number of monitoring programs according to DIN 50931-1 in water utilities. The results showed that in several cases the applicability range defined in the German Drinking Water Directive and in the standard DIN 50930-6 does not meet practical experience. Moreover, the recent applicability range does not sufficiently guide water utilities to successfully cope with a copper corrosion problem.
For these reasons, a new research project funded by the German Technical and Scientific Association on Gas and Water (DVGW) was started in order to study and to understand the effect of a given groundwater DOC on copper corrosion. Pipe-rig experiments according to DIN 50931-1 will be supplemented by laboratory studies on the effect of the DOC on the three subprocesses of general corrosion, by surface-analytical evaluation of the pipes, and by molecular characterization of the DOC.
On this background, the TZW reevaluated its data on copper corrosion from a number of monitoring programs according to DIN 50931-1 in water utilities. The results showed that in several cases the applicability range defined in the German Drinking Water Directive and in the standard DIN 50930-6 does not meet practical experience. Moreover, the recent applicability range does not sufficiently guide water utilities to successfully cope with a copper corrosion problem.
For these reasons, a new research project funded by the German Technical and Scientific Association on Gas and Water (DVGW) was started in order to study and to understand the effect of a given groundwater DOC on copper corrosion. Pipe-rig experiments according to DIN 50931-1 will be supplemented by laboratory studies on the effect of the DOC on the three subprocesses of general corrosion, by surface-analytical evaluation of the pipes, and by molecular characterization of the DOC.
