Effect of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) on Internal Corrosion of Water Pipes

A series of laboratory-scale corrosion experiments was carried out to observe the effect of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the presence of other water quality parameters, such as hardness, Cl-, and pH using various pipe materials. In addition, a simulated loop system was installed at a water treatment plant for pilot-scale experiment. Laboratory-scale experiment showed that corrosion rates for galvanized steel pipe (GSP), carbon steel pipe (CSP), and ductile cast iron pipe (DCIP) were decreased to 72%, 75%, and 91% by reducing DO concentration from 9${\pm}$0.5 mg/L to 2${\pm}$0.5 mg/L. From the pilot scale experiment, it was further identified that the average ionization rate of zinc in GSP decreased from 0.00533 to 0.00078 mg/$cm^2$/d by controlling the concentration of DO. The reduction of average ionization rate for copper pipe (CP) and stainless steel pipe (SSP) were 71.4% for Cu and 63.5% for Fe, respectively. From this study, it was concluded that DO could be used as a major parameter in controlling the corrosion of water pipes.