Permeation of BTEX compounds through HDPE pipes under simulated field conditions

Authors

• Feng Mao
• James A. Gaunt
• Chu-Lin Cheng, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Say Kee Ong

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2010

Abstract

Pipe-bottle tests were conducted to investigate the permeation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) compounds through 1-in.-diameter high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe exposed to gasoline-contaminated water and gasolinecontaminated unsaturated soil. Using the time-lag method, the concentrationdependent diffusion coefficients of BTEX compounds were estimated to be on the order of ~2 to ~9 × 10-9 cm2/s. Smaller pipes were more vulnerable to permeation than larger pipes, and pipes subject to periodic stagnation were more likely to exceed the maximum contaminant level of benzene than were pipes with continuous water flow. Under otherwise identical conditions, HDPE pipes buried in a soil of high organic matter were permeated to a lesser extent than pipes buried in a soil of low organic matter for exposure times exceeding 30 days.

Comments

© 2010 American Water Works Association

Recommended Citation

Mao, Feng, James A. Gaunt, Chu‐Lin Cheng, and Say Kee Ong. "Permeation of BTEX compounds through HDPE pipes under simulated field conditions." Journal‐American Water Works Association 102, no. 3 (2010): 107-118. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1551-8833.2010.tb10077.x

Publication Title

Journal AWWA

DOI

10.1002/j.1551-8833.2010.tb10077.x