Water Supply (Feb 2023)
Full-scale determination of pipe wall and bulk chlorine degradation coefficients for different pipe categories
Abstract
Having good information about parameters that impact water quality can improve the management of water distribution systems in the short-term (optimising disinfection) and the long-term (planning rehabilitation). Full-scale data on the degradation of the residual disinfectant for various pipe characteristics are difficult to obtain but necessary. As the most common disinfectant is chlorine, this paper aims to determine the most important pipe and/or hydraulic system characteristics in the chlorine degradation coefficients. Such characteristics were identified based on statistical analyses that relate them with range values of bulk and pipe wall degradation coefficients estimated in full-scale conditions in a real distribution system. The results showed that among pipe characteristics, the period of installation impacts significantly kw and kt. Results of kw for three different materials confirmed that residual chlorine degradation at the pipe walls for grey-cast iron, which is older and metallic, is much higher than that for ductile cast iron and PVC pipes. In older pipes, up to 97% of residual chlorine can be degraded at the pipe walls, while the role of bulk reactions can reach about 35% in newer pipes. The obtained information can be integrated to identify pipes for rehabilitation/renewal and locations for booster rechlorination. HIGHLIGHTS Methodology can be used to estimate kw and kb in real water distribution systems.; The use of categories allows to identify the impact of the period of installation on kw.; Regressions showed that the period of installation is the most important factor that impacts kt and kw.; Statistical analyses showed that diameter does not impact the degradation coefficients significantly in this case study.; The chlorine degradation at the pipe walls for GCI is much higher than DCI and PVC.;
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