What Does
Wastewater Treatment Mean?
Wastewater treatment consists of the chemical and physical processes used to reclaim water that has been deemed no longer suitable for its primary purpose (e.g., drinking, cleaning and chemical reactions) due to a change in its fundamental properties. Such properties are biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH and others.
In corrosion prevention applications, wastewater is often treated in correlation to a desired pH.
Corrosionpedia Explains Wastewater Treatment
Low pH acidic water accelerates corrosion due to a larger supply of hydrogen ions. There are 10 times as many hydrogen ions available at a pH of 7 than at a pH of 8. Water with a pH lower than 7 threatens corrosion prevention initiatives, is considered to be wastewater, and therefore is in need of treatment to increase the pH.
Furthermore, corrosion control is a primary concern in wastewater treatment plants, which typically have pipes and other vessels with large volumes of water for extended periods of time. Therefore, these vessels are at increased risk for corrosion and rust formation. Regular shut-down inspections and investigation into microbial levels in such facilities are paramount in ensuring their consistent and efficient operation.