Standardization News

Once approved, a proposed new ASTM International standard will aid in the evaluation of high performance protective coatings for sewerage systems. The proposed standard will provide a test specific to these coatings.

Subcommittee G01.05 on Laboratory Corrosion Tests is developing WK33537, Practice for Operating the Severe Wastewater Analysis Testing Apparatus. G01.05 is under the jurisdiction of Committee G01 on Corrosion of Metals.

The severe wastewater analysis testing apparatus is a laboratory chamber comprising two phases: 1) a liquid phase containing a 10 percent concentration of sulfuric acid and 0.4 percent saline solution and 2) a vapor phase consisting of air, humidity and concentrated sewer gas (for example, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and methane).

"It is the vapor phase that makes the severe wastewater analysis testing apparatus novel compared to other senescent laboratory testing regimens often used by the wastewater industry," say Vaugnn O'Dea, director, Water-Wastewater Treatment, Tnemec Co., and chairman of the task group that is developing WK33537. "The severe wastewater analysis testing protocol was established based on conditions characteristic of actual sewerage systems."

According to O'Dea, primary users of the proposed standard will include specifying architects/engineers and municipal wastewater owners seeking to extend the service life of their infrastructure assets.

"The severe wastewater analysis testing apparatus has been the subject of many technical articles and presentations over the last 10 years and, as such, has become the premier laboratory evaluation procedure for candidate protective coatings for severe wastewater," says O'Dea.

All interested parties, particularly those who deal with wastewater and testing laboratories capable of handling high levels of sewer gases, are invited to participate in the development of WK33537.

CONTACT Technical Information: Vaughn O'Dea, Tnemec Co. Inc. • Hays, Kan. • Phone: 816-519-2267 O ASTM Staff: Jennifer Rodgers • Phone: 610-832-9694 O Upcoming Meeting: Nov. 16-17 • November Committee Week • Tampa, Fla.