Prevention of Corrosion of Cast Iron Water Mains

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Background:Welsh Water are the 4th largest company in Wales supplying 1.4 million homes and businesses with clean drinking water. A unique trait among the Water Companies in England and Wales is the fact that we are a not-for-profit organisation. We supply around 830 million litres of water every day through 26,500km of water mains, of which 11,400 are made from cast iron.Research Context:As waters supplied are mostly soft, Welsh Water suffers with internal corrosion of cast iron mains. The corrosion manifests in discoloured water being supplied to our customers. Part of the organisations 2050 Vision is to ensure that all customers are supplied with water free from discolouration; therefore, this issue is a key research area for the company.Project Description:The aim of the project is to investigate how we can prevent corrosion, using a flow through cell. This will enable us to understand real life conditions and the effect of various chemicals as corrosion inhibitors. We would also like to understand the influence of an applied magnetic field and whether this can alter the water chemistry sufficiently to oxidise corrosion products to magnetite.Desired outcomes:- Understand the role of corrosion inhibitors in a flow through cell;- Investigate the effects of applied magnetic fields; and- Understand the cost benefit of applying corrosion inhibitors within the distribution network with mains that are already corroded.