Manufacturing Methods for Sulfur Concrete Sewer Pipe This Phase
I research is intended to evaluate the feasibility of
manufacturing low-cost, acid-resistant sanitary sewer pipe from
sulfur concrete. Sulfur is an abundant mineral recovered from
coking, natural gas processing, and petroleum refining.
Secondary recovery of sulfur, resulting from environmental
regulation, produces more material than is needed by U.S.
industry. The U.S. Bureau of Mines developed a process by which
elemental sulfur can be used as a thermal cement with aggregate
fillers to make concrete. Sulfur concrete appears to be a good
solution to solve the problem of deteriorating sewerage
structures made from Portland cement. Portland cement is
alkaline and has been found to perform poorly in the acid
environment in most sanitary sewer systems. Alternative
materials that can solve the problem of premature failure of
concrete pipe are expensive. The purpose of this Phase I project
is to develop a low-cost alternative to traditional concrete pi