Analysis of Sewer Pipe Quality Using Infrared Spectroscopy: Characterization of Compounds and Assessment of Structural Changes During Aging with Sulfate Solutions

The sewer lines must be in both good physical and chemical condition, and must comply with standards before their installation. In order to preserve their quality, their storage must be taking care of meticulously. For this purpose, our work will be based on the study of pipeline samples using infrared spectroscopy. This technique allows us to characterize and identify organic and inorganic compounds in samples, as well as monitor chemical reactions and structural changes that may occur over time. The samples were developed by four different Moroccan companies, allowing us to obtain a variety of representative data. To assess the effect of aging on pipelines, we submitted our prepared samples to two different sulphate solutions: sulphuric acid and sodium sulphates. These solutions represent potential environmental conditions to which the pipelines could be exposed to after being put into service. We compared the aged samples with virgin samples that were not exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from natural light, in order to specifically observe the changes induced by aging. The results obtained were significant. They showed the appearance of a structural change between virgin and aged samples.