Effects of biogenic sulfuric acid on simulated concrete septic tanks/
Gachie, Irungu Simon
Effects of biogenic sulfuric acid on simulated concrete septic tanks/ Simon Irungu Gachie - Meru: Simon Irungu Gachie, 2024. - x,95p
Africa and many Asian cities still employ the use of septic tanks to treat wastewater from the
toilet. The use of septic tanks as an on-site wastewater treatment system is economically viable
and affordable to the vast majority of developing nations. However, their utilization has been
met with a dire challenge due to continuous corrosion and degradation of septic concrete
surfaces. Concrete septic septic tanks are Constructed using conventional ordinary portland
cement (OPC) and Portland pozzolana cement (PPC). However, OPC and PPC-based concrete
Septic tanks are susceptible to biological, mechanical, and chemical degradation. Degradation
of the concrete septic leads to their failure hence imposing tremendous environmental
problems. The aftermath is the emergence of sanitation-related diseases. The wastewater from
failing septic systems leads to contamination of the groundwater or the surface water resulting
in the pollution of drinking water. Therefore, the need to explore other possibilities and
potential construction materials to achieve sustainable sanitation is inevitable. The use of
Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) in the construction of degradation-resistant concrete
septic septic systems has not been well explored in Kenya. LC3 concrete is resistant to the
deterioration effects of aggressive media such as acids, chlorides, and sulfates. Therefore, this
research involved the performance of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) as an
alternative cement in the construction of concrete septic structures. The effects of biogenic
sulfuric acid on simulated concrete septic systems made from (OPC) and (LC3) were
investigated. Concrete cubes of OPC and LC3 measuring 150×150×150mm3 were cast and
water cured for 28 days in two sets. One set of cubes was subjected to a biogenic biogenic
sulfuric acid solution of pH2 for 30 days in repeated wet and dry (W-D) cycles. The second
set acting as a positive control, was placed in pure water for 30 days. After 30 days of soaking
in biogenic sulfuric acid solution and pure water, the cubes were subjected to different tests,
which were compressive strength, sorptivity, and porosity. It was observed that after 28 days
of curing, OPC cubes had slightly lower compressive strength of 34.4488 MM2/KN than LC3
whose recorded strength was 32.351 MM2/KN . However, LC3 concrete cubes are expected
to have higher compressive strength than the OPC. Cubes curing time increases due to
increased pozzolanic activity. Sulphuric acid attacks on hydrated cement products cause a
decrease in compressive strength. The water absorption profile of LC3 cubes was lower
(7.1808 kg ) as compared to OPC cubes (8.23446 kg). LC3 cubes had a high potential of
resisting H2SO4 degradation as compared to OPC cubes. After 28 days of curing, OPC cubes
had slightly higher compressive strength than LC3 mortars. However, As a result of increased
pozzolanic activity of the clay pozzolana, the compressive strength of LC3 mortars is expected
to improve significantly than OPC when curing in sulphuric acid. Water absorption was lower
in LC3 than in OPC. Blended cement is less porous than OPC, according to this research. As
a result, they are less susceptible to degradation as a result of strong media penetration .The
resistance to biogenic sulfuric acid attack was stronger in LC3 than in OPC. This revealed
that they might be used to make more durable constructions.Biogenic sulfuric acid attack on
cement hydration products causes a decrease in compressive strength which was witness in
OPC cement. From this work, it can be concluded that LC3 has a good performance profile in
resisting deleterious materials. Therefore, further research is recommended to acertain its use
in the construction of resilient and durable sanitary facilities such as septic tanks.
TD 778.G3 2024
Effects of biogenic sulfuric acid on simulated concrete septic tanks/ Simon Irungu Gachie - Meru: Simon Irungu Gachie, 2024. - x,95p
Africa and many Asian cities still employ the use of septic tanks to treat wastewater from the
toilet. The use of septic tanks as an on-site wastewater treatment system is economically viable
and affordable to the vast majority of developing nations. However, their utilization has been
met with a dire challenge due to continuous corrosion and degradation of septic concrete
surfaces. Concrete septic septic tanks are Constructed using conventional ordinary portland
cement (OPC) and Portland pozzolana cement (PPC). However, OPC and PPC-based concrete
Septic tanks are susceptible to biological, mechanical, and chemical degradation. Degradation
of the concrete septic leads to their failure hence imposing tremendous environmental
problems. The aftermath is the emergence of sanitation-related diseases. The wastewater from
failing septic systems leads to contamination of the groundwater or the surface water resulting
in the pollution of drinking water. Therefore, the need to explore other possibilities and
potential construction materials to achieve sustainable sanitation is inevitable. The use of
Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) in the construction of degradation-resistant concrete
septic septic systems has not been well explored in Kenya. LC3 concrete is resistant to the
deterioration effects of aggressive media such as acids, chlorides, and sulfates. Therefore, this
research involved the performance of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) as an
alternative cement in the construction of concrete septic structures. The effects of biogenic
sulfuric acid on simulated concrete septic systems made from (OPC) and (LC3) were
investigated. Concrete cubes of OPC and LC3 measuring 150×150×150mm3 were cast and
water cured for 28 days in two sets. One set of cubes was subjected to a biogenic biogenic
sulfuric acid solution of pH2 for 30 days in repeated wet and dry (W-D) cycles. The second
set acting as a positive control, was placed in pure water for 30 days. After 30 days of soaking
in biogenic sulfuric acid solution and pure water, the cubes were subjected to different tests,
which were compressive strength, sorptivity, and porosity. It was observed that after 28 days
of curing, OPC cubes had slightly lower compressive strength of 34.4488 MM2/KN than LC3
whose recorded strength was 32.351 MM2/KN . However, LC3 concrete cubes are expected
to have higher compressive strength than the OPC. Cubes curing time increases due to
increased pozzolanic activity. Sulphuric acid attacks on hydrated cement products cause a
decrease in compressive strength. The water absorption profile of LC3 cubes was lower
(7.1808 kg ) as compared to OPC cubes (8.23446 kg). LC3 cubes had a high potential of
resisting H2SO4 degradation as compared to OPC cubes. After 28 days of curing, OPC cubes
had slightly higher compressive strength than LC3 mortars. However, As a result of increased
pozzolanic activity of the clay pozzolana, the compressive strength of LC3 mortars is expected
to improve significantly than OPC when curing in sulphuric acid. Water absorption was lower
in LC3 than in OPC. Blended cement is less porous than OPC, according to this research. As
a result, they are less susceptible to degradation as a result of strong media penetration .The
resistance to biogenic sulfuric acid attack was stronger in LC3 than in OPC. This revealed
that they might be used to make more durable constructions.Biogenic sulfuric acid attack on
cement hydration products causes a decrease in compressive strength which was witness in
OPC cement. From this work, it can be concluded that LC3 has a good performance profile in
resisting deleterious materials. Therefore, further research is recommended to acertain its use
in the construction of resilient and durable sanitary facilities such as septic tanks.
TD 778.G3 2024