Identification of biogenic sulphate corrosion of concrete in sewage treatment plant settling tank walls

One of the basic threats in terms of concrete used for tanks or ducts applied in wastewater management is the phenomenon of biogenic sulphate corrosion (BSC). BSC is a particular case of corrosion caused by the action of sulphuric acid (IV), which is formed as a result of a number of biochemical processes, which can take place, e.g. in an environment encountered within the aforementioned structures. Ions present in sulphuric acid react with cement hydration products, which leads to replacing the primary cement matrix components with compounds easily-soluble or highly-swelling during crystallization. The outcome of advanced corrosion is usually an observed formation of a white, amorphous, sponge-like mass, which is easily separated from the underlying concrete. The article discusses a case study of a BSC process in a newly constructed primary settling tank in a municipal wastewater treatment plant.