Systems and methods to prevent contamination of potable water with lead and/ or iron, and to extend the useful life of the potable water system, while reducing maintenance and capital costs

Abstract

Provided are systems and methods for preventing corrosion, and lead and iron contamination in potable water piping systems comprising lead, non-electrically conducting, and/or iron pipes. A sacrificial/potential anode, made of a material, such as a metal or metal alloys less noble than iron, e.g., zinc, aluminum, magnesium, and/or alloys thereof, is electrically attached to the potable water piping system. Alternatively, an active cathodic corrosion prevention system may be used. The active cathodic corrosion protection system comprises an independent source of DC power, a voltage controller and a non-sacrificial or a sacrificial/potential grounding anode. The negative terminal of the voltage controller is connected to the potable water piping system. The interior surface of the lead and/or iron pipe is maintained at a voltage and/or potential above the reduction potential of the redox reactions between the disinfection chemicals and the interior surfaces of the lead and iron pipes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A corrosion prevention system for a potable water piping system, wherein the potable water piping system comprises at least one iron main, possibly one section of non-conductive pipe, and at least one section of lead pipe, the corrosion prevention system comprising:
 a. iron mains and at least one sacrificial/potential anode electrically connected to at least one section of lead pipe,   b. whereby an interior surface of the section of lead pipe is maintained at a voltage above the reduction potential of the redox reaction between iron and the protective concentration of disinfection chemicals, wherein the lead pipe is electrically connected to the iron main.   
     
     
         2 . The corrosion prevention system of  claim 1 , wherein the sacrificial/potential anode is comprised of a metal less noble than iron. 
     
     
         3 . The corrosion prevention system of  claim 2 , wherein the sacrificial/potential anode is comprised of zinc, an alloy thereof, or a metal or metal alloy less noble than zinc. 
     
     
         4 . The corrosion prevention system of  claim 1 , further comprising a DC power source electrically connected to at least one section of iron main connected to a lead pipe. 
     
     
         5 . A corrosion prevention system for a potable water piping system, wherein the potable water piping system comprises at least one iron main, possibly one section of non-conductive pipe, and at least one section of lead pipe, the corrosion prevention system comprising:
 a. at least one insoluble anode, and/or a sacrificial/potential anode   b. a power source electrically connected to the insoluble anode, and/or sacrificial/potential anode   c. a voltage controller electrically connected to the insoluble anode, the power source, and the lead pipe,   d. whereby an interior surface of the lead pipe is maintained at a voltage above the reduction potential of iron, wherein the lead pipe and the iron main are electrically connected   
     
     
         6 . The corrosion prevention system of  claim 5 , wherein the insoluble anode is comprised of graphite. 
     
     
         7 . The corrosion prevention system of  claim 5 , wherein the power source comprises a battery or a solar cell and a voltage controller. 
     
     
         8 . The corrosion prevention system of  claim 5 , wherein the power source comprises an AC/DC rectifier-converter. 
     
     
         9 . A method for preventing corrosion of a lead pipe in a potable water piping system, wherein the potable water piping system comprises at least one iron main and possibly a section of non-conductive pipe, electrically bypassed by an electrical jumper, comprising:
 a. electrically connecting means for corrosion protection to the lead pipe;   b. whereby the interior surface of the lead pipe is maintained at a voltage above the reduction potential of iron.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the means for corrosion protection comprises at least one sacrificial/potential anode. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the sacrificial/potential anode is comprised of a metal less noble than iron. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the sacrificial/potential anode is comprised of iron, zinc, or an alloy thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the means for corrosion protection comprises a voltage controller, a DC power source, wherein the voltage controller is electrically connected to the power source and the iron and lead distribution system. x 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the power source comprises an AC/DC rectifier converter