Use of electrochemistry to detect buried service lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) water pipes

摘要

The present invention relates to using a rectifier, a groundbed consisting of four (4) copper rods, power supply, three (3) copper/copper sulfate (Cu/CuSO₄) reference electrodes, a data logger for detecting and identifying buried lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) service pipes by their electrochemical potentials. More specifically, the present invention relates to using the electrochemical potentials of lead (Pb) versus copper/copper sulfate (Cu/CuSO₄) reference electrode (−0.500 volts) and also using the electrochemical potentials of copper versus copper/copper sulfate (Cu/CuSO₄) reference electrode (−0.200 volts) which is utilized under field (actual, environmental or in situ) conditions in detecting and differentiating buried lead (Pb) service pipes and buried copper pipes which are sometimes attached to the same water meter and cast iron water supply main.