Copper deterioration in a water distribution system of a county hospital in Germany caused by microbially influenced corrosion – II. Simulation of the corrosion process in two test rigs installed in this hospital

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Abstract
A copper corrosion process of unknown origin in a county hospital in Germany has been observed in the cold and warm water supplies shortly after operating the hospital. It seemed that the cause of these damages could be attributed to microbially induced corrosion. The evaluation of damages indicated that the constructive design of the installations and the operating conditions are parameters influencing the pitting corrosion to a large extent. In the past other damages have occurred in this water distribution area already [1].Two test rigs have been installed in the county hospital to simulate the corrosion process and to get a profounder understanding of the corrosion mechanism. The results obtained from these test rigs are compared to the findings in the hospital a few years ago concerning corrosion of copper as well as analytical, biological and operational parameters.