Impianti di ionizzazione Cu-Ag per la di disinfezione delle acque e rischi di corrosione per spostamento

The copper and silver ionization system is one of the water sanitation treatments. Effective ionization occurs if the content of copper ions in solution is 0.2-0.4 mg/L and that of silver ions is 0.02-0.04 mg/L. An excess of copper and silver ions can react with other metal surfaces, triggering a deposition reaction, allowing the formation of deposits of more noble metals, and then promoting a localized corrosion phenomenon due to galvanic coupling. In the present paper, two case histories will be presented: one related to a legionella sanitizing plant system of a hospital; the second related to a system of water purification of a vessel on a boat. In both cases, working conditions are illustrated, corrosion morphology is described, focusing on the presence of copper and silver deposits, and the cause of corrosion is presented, estimating a reliable corrosion rate.