{"id":{"repo_id":"vt","oai_identifier":"oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/81180"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/vt/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/81180","repository":{"repo_id":"vt","name":"Virginia Tech","base_url":"https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Calcium Carbonate Formation in Water Distribution Systems and Autogenous Repair of Leaks by Inert Particle Clogging","abstract":"The formation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) (i.e. scale) in potable water systems has long been a concern in water treatment and distribution. A literature review reveals that CaCO3 scaling issues are re-emerging due to climate change, temperature increases in hot water systems and lower use of scaling and corrosion inhibitors. Moreover, we have gathered insights that suggest CaCO3 coatings can be beneficial and stop pipeline leaks via self-repair or clogging. Ironically, the actions we are taking to increase the lifespan of distribution systems (i.e. adding corrosion inhibitors) might have worsened leaks and pipe lifespans due to interference with self-repair. The increasing occurrence of scaling coupled with gaps in knowledge over CaCO3 formation in water systems make revisiting this topic timely. The concept of autogenous repair by clogging with inert particles was examined using silica and alumina. Small 250 m diameter pinhole leaks were simulated in bench-scale water recirculation systems. Silica and alumina particles were added to solutions ranging from high to low ionic strength to determine the impact of water quality on leak repair. Size distribution and zeta potential of the particles were measured. Silica particles were practically unchanged by the different solution chemistries while the size and zeta potential of alumina particles varied. The rate of clogging with silica particles was not impacted by water chemistry. Alumina particles with a positive charge clogged 100% of the leaks while negatively charged alumina could not clog 100%. Very small alumina particles (4.1 m) stayed suspended but were unable to clog leaks.","abstract_html":"The formation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) (i.e. scale) in potable water systems has long been a concern in water treatment and distribution. A literature review reveals that CaCO3 scaling issues are re-emerging due to climate change, temperature increases in hot water systems and lower use of scaling and corrosion inhibitors. Moreover, we have gathered insights that suggest CaCO3 coatings can be beneficial and stop pipeline leaks via self-repair or clogging. Ironically, the actions we are taking to increase the lifespan of distribution systems (i.e. adding corrosion inhibitors) might have worsened leaks and pipe lifespans due to interference with self-repair. The increasing occurrence of scaling coupled with gaps in knowledge over CaCO3 formation in water systems make revisiting this topic timely. The concept of autogenous repair by clogging with inert particles was examined using silica and alumina. Small 250 m diameter pinhole leaks were simulated in bench-scale water recirculation systems. Silica and alumina particles were added to solutions ranging from high to low ionic strength to determine the impact of water quality on leak repair. Size distribution and zeta potential of the particles were measured. Silica particles were practically unchanged by the different solution chemistries while the size and zeta potential of alumina particles varied. The rate of clogging with silica particles was not impacted by water chemistry. Alumina particles with a positive charge clogged 100% of the leaks while negatively charged alumina could not clog 100%. Very small alumina particles (4.1 m) stayed suspended but were unable to clog leaks.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Richards, Colin Scott"],"institution":"Virginia Tech","degree_name":"Master of Science","degree_level":"masters","degree_discipline":"Environmental Planning","degree_department":"Civil and Environmental Engineering","school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":["Edwards, Marc A."],"committee_members":["Wang, Fei","Sinha, Sunil Kumar"],"year":2016,"date_issued":"2016-06-20","date_published":"2016-06-20","updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:18:53Z","subjects":["Calcium carbonate","distribution system","precipitation","particle clogging","autogenous repair"],"languages":[],"rights":["In Copyright"],"rights_urls":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"identifier_entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.other","label":"Dc Identifier Other","values":["vt_gsexam:8206"],"render_values":[{"text":"vt_gsexam:8206","href":null,"code":true}]}]},"links":{"outbound_url":"http://hdl.handle.net/10919/81180","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.committeechair","label":"Committee Chair","values":["Edwards, Marc A."]},{"key":"dc:contributor.committeemember","label":"Committee Member","values":["Wang, Fei","Sinha, Sunil Kumar"]},{"key":"dc:contributor.department","label":"Department","values":["Civil and Environmental Engineering"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Richards, Colin Scott"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2017-12-13T07:00:24Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2017-12-13T07:00:24Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2016-06-20"]},{"key":"dc:publisher","label":"Institution","values":["Virginia Tech"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Environmental Planning"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["masters"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Science"]},{"key":"thesis:institution_name","label":"Thesis Institution Name","values":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Calcium carbonate","distribution system","precipitation","particle clogging","autogenous repair"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["In Copyright"]},{"key":"dc:rights.uri","label":"Rights URI","values":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.other","label":"Dc Identifier Other","values":["vt_gsexam:8206"]},{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["http://hdl.handle.net/10919/81180"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["The formation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) (i.e. scale) in potable water systems has long been a concern in water treatment and distribution. A literature review reveals that CaCO3 scaling issues are re-emerging due to climate change, temperature increases in hot water systems and lower use of scaling and corrosion inhibitors. Moreover, we have gathered insights that suggest CaCO3 coatings can be beneficial and stop pipeline leaks via self-repair or clogging. Ironically, the actions we are taking to increase the lifespan of distribution systems (i.e. adding corrosion inhibitors) might have worsened leaks and pipe lifespans due to interference with self-repair. The increasing occurrence of scaling coupled with gaps in knowledge over CaCO3 formation in water systems make revisiting this topic timely. The concept of autogenous repair by clogging with inert particles was examined using silica and alumina. Small 250 m diameter pinhole leaks were simulated in bench-scale water recirculation systems. Silica and alumina particles were added to solutions ranging from high to low ionic strength to determine the impact of water quality on leak repair. Size distribution and zeta potential of the particles were measured. Silica particles were practically unchanged by the different solution chemistries while the size and zeta potential of alumina particles varied. The rate of clogging with silica particles was not impacted by water chemistry. Alumina particles with a positive charge clogged 100% of the leaks while negatively charged alumina could not clog 100%. Very small alumina particles (4.1 m) stayed suspended but were unable to clog leaks."]},{"key":"dc:description.degree","label":"Dc Description Degree","values":["Master of Science"]},{"key":"dc:format.medium","label":"Dc Format Medium","values":["ETD"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Calcium Carbonate Formation in Water Distribution Systems and Autogenous Repair of Leaks by Inert Particle Clogging"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.committeechair":["Edwards, Marc A."],"dc:contributor.committeemember":["Wang, Fei","Sinha, Sunil Kumar"],"dc:contributor.department":["Civil and Environmental Engineering"],"dc:creator":["Richards, Colin Scott"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2017-12-13T07:00:24Z"],"dc:date.available":["2017-12-13T07:00:24Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2016-06-20"],"dc:description.abstract":["The formation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) (i.e. scale) in potable water systems has long been a concern in water treatment and distribution. A literature review reveals that CaCO3 scaling issues are re-emerging due to climate change, temperature increases in hot water systems and lower use of scaling and corrosion inhibitors. Moreover, we have gathered insights that suggest CaCO3 coatings can be beneficial and stop pipeline leaks via self-repair or clogging. Ironically, the actions we are taking to increase the lifespan of distribution systems (i.e. adding corrosion inhibitors) might have worsened leaks and pipe lifespans due to interference with self-repair. The increasing occurrence of scaling coupled with gaps in knowledge over CaCO3 formation in water systems make revisiting this topic timely. The concept of autogenous repair by clogging with inert particles was examined using silica and alumina. Small 250 m diameter pinhole leaks were simulated in bench-scale water recirculation systems. Silica and alumina particles were added to solutions ranging from high to low ionic strength to determine the impact of water quality on leak repair. Size distribution and zeta potential of the particles were measured. Silica particles were practically unchanged by the different solution chemistries while the size and zeta potential of alumina particles varied. The rate of clogging with silica particles was not impacted by water chemistry. Alumina particles with a positive charge clogged 100% of the leaks while negatively charged alumina could not clog 100%. 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