Scientists in the Naval Research
Laboratory's (NRL's) Chemistry Division have developed, tested
and successfully installed a chemically resistant, nontoxic epoxy
lining for potable water pipes. When this lining is applied to
the interior of pipes via compressed air, pipe corrosion and
leaching of lead and other heavy metals into the water is eliminated.
"It is a fast, economical, in-place rehabilitation of drinking
water systems", says principal investigator Dr. Robert Brady,
a polymer chemist and head of the Coatings Section in NRL's Materials
Chemistry Branch.
According to Dr. Brady, "The operation causes minimum disruption
to tenants or their activities and may be used on systems with
numerous bends and varying diameters of pipe. Piping may be lined
without removal or disassembly, and is returned to service within
48 hours. The lining is suitable for piping use on ships, inside
buildings and underground. It dries in twenty minutes, and resists
severe mechanical abuse. It releases no color, taste, odor or
leachable material into the water. The lining was recently installed
in potable water pipes in three buildings at the Anacostia Naval
Annex.
"Contractors furnished all labor, equipment and supplies.
Cleaning and painting are done entirely within the pipe system
and hose (which may attain 60psi), and no unusual worker safety
and environmental precautions are required. Digging or removal
of insulation is usually unnecessary. After the lining has been
installed there is no concern about spare parts, training or
repair."
The lining was originally developed to solve corrosion problems
aboard aircraft carriers. Dr. Brady noted that, "Those ships
experience severe erosion and corrosion of piping in their waste
collection systems." The Naval Sea Systems Command Detachment,
Bremerton, Washington, initiated the program to line those systems.
The lining has been installed in the waster collection systems
of all active (and many now decommissioned) carriers and is specified
for installation in all new aircraft carriers during construction.
In November 1995, the USS JOHN C STENNIS (CVN 74) was the first
carrier delivered with the lining installed.
The Environmental Security Technology Demonstration Program (DoD)
provided funding for the development of this technology.
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