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Biocorrosion of Concrete Sewers in Greece: Current Practices and Challenges

Author

Listed:
  • Georgios Fytianos

    (Department of Food Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, Sindos, GR-57400 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Vasilis Baltikas

    (DECUS Consultants and Engineers, Ethnikis Antistaseos 4, 55133 Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Dimitrios Loukovitis

    (Department of Agriculture, International Hellenic University, Sindos, GR-57400 Thessaloniki, Greece
    Research Institute of Animal Science, ELGO Demeter, 58100 Paralimni, Giannitsa, Greece)

  • Dimitra Banti

    (Department of Food Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, Sindos, GR-57400 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Athanasios Sfikas

    (DECUS Consultants and Engineers, Ethnikis Antistaseos 4, 55133 Kalamaria, Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Efthimios Papastergiadis

    (Department of Food Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, Sindos, GR-57400 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Petros Samaras

    (Department of Food Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, Sindos, GR-57400 Thessaloniki, Greece)

Abstract

This paper is intended to review the current practices and challenges regarding the corrosion of the Greek sewer systems with an emphasis on biocorrosion and to provide recommendations to avoid it. The authors followed a holistic approach, which included survey data obtained by local authorities serving more than 50% of the total country’s population and validated the survey answers with field measurements and analyses. The exact nature and extent of concrete biocorrosion problems in Greece are presented for the first time. Moreover, the overall condition of the sewer network, the maintenance frequency, and the corrosion prevention techniques used in Greece are also presented. Results from field measurements showed the existence of H 2 S in the gaseous phase (i.e., precursor of the H 2 SO 4 formation in the sewer) and acidithiobacillus bacteria (i.e., biocorrosion causative agent) in the slime, which exists at the interlayer between the concrete wall and the sewage. Biocorrosion seems to mainly affect old concrete networks, and the replacement of the destroyed concrete pipes with new polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ones is currently common practice. However, in most cases, the replacement cost is high, and the authors provide some recommendations to increase the current service life of concrete pipes.

Suggested Citation

  • Georgios Fytianos & Vasilis Baltikas & Dimitrios Loukovitis & Dimitra Banti & Athanasios Sfikas & Efthimios Papastergiadis & Petros Samaras, 2020. "Biocorrosion of Concrete Sewers in Greece: Current Practices and Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:7:p:2638-:d:337420
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Linping Wu & Chaoshi Hu & Wei Victor Liu, 2018. "The Sustainability of Concrete in Sewer Tunnel—A Narrative Review of Acid Corrosion in the City of Edmonton, Canada," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-24, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Georgios Fytianos & Emmanouil Tziolas & Efthimios Papastergiadis & Petros Samaras, 2020. "Least Cost Analysis for Biocorrosion Mitigation Strategies in Concrete Sewers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-13, June.
    2. Huy Thanh Vo & Tsuyoshi Imai & Masato Fukushima & Kanathip Promnuan & Tasuma Suzuki & Hiraku Sakuma & Takashi Hitomi & Yung-Tse Hung, 2023. "Enhancing the Biological Oxidation of H 2 S in a Sewer Pipe with Highly Conductive Concrete and Electricity-Producing Bacteria," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-14, January.

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    1. Georgios Fytianos & Emmanouil Tziolas & Efthimios Papastergiadis & Petros Samaras, 2020. "Least Cost Analysis for Biocorrosion Mitigation Strategies in Concrete Sewers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-13, June.

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