AWWA WQTC55212

Copper corrosion in drinking water systems was studied in pipe-rig experiments at different temperatures. The characteristic shape of the stagnation curves is described as the result of at least three subprocesses (metal oxidation, scale formation, establishment of asolubility equilibrium). Scale formation was strongly influenced by temperature while oxygen consumption did change significantly. Due to the changing flow r egime (stagnation and flow periods) the copper concentration in the water is strongly dependent on the kinetics of the identified subprocesses. The investigation is supplemented by intensive characterization of the surface properties of corroded copper pipes, and a number of structural elements is represented in high resolution light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images. Includes 18 references, table, figures.