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Subject: [DCHAS-L] help w/ mystery scale on exterior of copper pipes
Date: November 5, 2012 12:01:53 PM EST
Author: scrooks**At_Symbol_Here**PPEPPRO.COM 		Next by Date:
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] help w/ mystery scale on exterior of copper pipes
Date: November 5, 2012 1:13:41 PM EST
Author: "CHANDRA, Tilak"

From: "Richard W. York" <ryork**At_Symbol_Here**MAIL.WITTENBERG.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] help w/ mystery scale on exterior of copper pipes
Date: November 5, 2012 12:51:27 PM EST
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: <20121105100153.834b022cd1aa24b0911e6cb2fed6c2a3.603ac708cb.wbe**At_Symbol_Here**email06.secureserver.net>


Air will oxidize copper, especially in the presence of acid fumes and moisture.  We have produced copper sulfate by bubbling air through dilute (1-2 M) sulfuric acid in a test tube with copper wire.  The scale will be whatever salt deposits from available other ions (carbonate, sulfide, oxide, sulfate). Copper sulfate deposits would dissolve in water (slowly), so the deposits may be a carbonate or mixed oxide and carbonate.

 

The scale itself is not likely dangerous, but it should be investigated whether this atmosphere is safe for lungs.

 

Richard York

Coordinator of Chemistry Labs

Wittenberg University

 

 

 

 

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU]On Behalf Of scrooks**At_Symbol_Here**PPEPPRO.COM
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2012 12:02 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] help w/ mystery scale on exterior of copper pipes

 

I was recently asked to look at a dark blue scale appearing on the exterior of some copper piping and determine possible causes and if any human health risk is likely.  I am asking here primarily for anyone who's possibly seen this blue scale appear in similar installation.  I don't want to take anyone's time going deep as this is a paid consulting task and I do have access to other resources (and this one appears complicated.)  This group has seen and experienced so much collectively though that I couldn't pass it up as a great sounding board.  Then again, most on this list are being rewarded in some manner through the advice, ideas and answers obtained through the group so my shame isn't too unbearable.

 

Room contains a medium size waste water pretreatment system where you have typical H2SO4, H3PO4 and NaOH for pH adjust.  No excessive mists or vapors from these sources are apparent.  The room itself is approx. 30'x30'x20' and also contains an industrial sized autoclave/steam sterilizer which is opened after runs and vents essentially to the room.  Plants and soil are a portion of matl being autoclaved as well as (I'm afraid) everything up to the kitchen sink.  No reported exposure symptoms from anything (yet) while working in room.  Copper pipe was new and developed scale rather suddenly but within the first 6 mos of operation in this new AgriBioPharma facility.  Fresh copper pipe pieces have subsequently been hung to determine if this is on-going.  The blue color had me thinking an H2SO4 reaction w/ Cu but since Cu has a lesser tendency to give up electron than H, Cu wouldn't reduce H+ ion given by what I suspect at best would be a very dil. H2SO4 in air (if any.)  Any chance of Cu(II) Oxide being formed on exterior of pipe from anything in room atmosphere and then making reaction with H2SO4 more likely with extremely low atmospheric vapor conc?  Any help is appreciated.
 
Thanks,
Steve Crooks
 
 
Steve Crooks, MS, CIH, CSP
President & Sr. Consultant
People, Property & Environmental Protection, Inc.
919.368.7976
http://ppeppro.com
 

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