Japan System Planning Co. installed its anti-corrosion device, Pipetector, on the main pipe of a three-mile-long district heating pipe network on April 17, 2019. To evaluate the effectiveness of the device, a two-stage assessment was conducted.
As the primary evaluation method, filters were attached to a valve within the system before and after installation of the device to measure the level of iron-ion content in the water. As a secondary evaluation method, the ratio of black rust was compared under the same conditions. Pipe sections adjacent to the installation location were cut out before installation and again six months after the installation of Pipetector to examine the proportion of black rust formed on the inner surfce of the pipes.
Before installing Pipetector, iron particles collected in the filter showed a high iron concentration of 23.0 mg/L, indicating severe internal corrosion within the pipeline. Six months after installation, the iron concentratnio had decreased significantly to 1.4 mg/L. Compared with the pre-installatino level, the iron concentration had decreased dignificantly to 1.4 mg/L. Compared with the pre-installation level, the iron concentration was reduced by 93%, far exceeding the target benchmark of 11 mg/L.
Regarding black rust formation, the ratio of black rust on the inner surface of the pipe was 38.9% before installation. After six months, the ratio increased to 76.5%, nearly double the original level.
These results demonstrate that Pipetector effectively halted the progression of internal corrosion and promoted the conversion of existing red rust into black rust on the pipe surface. The predetermined performance benchmark was successfully achieved, confirming the device as an effective solution for preventing future corrosion damage and mitigating issues associated with red rust inside water pipes.
Continued operation of the piping system with Pipetector installed is expected to extend the service life of the pipeline and eliminate the need for complete replacement of the pipe network.
Test Result -Iron Content-
| Sampled Date (2019) | April 17 | May 15 | June 7 | July 17 | August 28 | October 3 |
| Iron Content (mg/L) | 23 | 10 | 17 | 14 | 2.7 | 1.4 |
Comparison of the Filters Before and After the Installation
| Before the installation | After six months |
| The filter was discolored in reddish brown with iron particles. | Compared with the before, the discoloration has eased in a degree. |
Black Rust Measurement
| Before installation | After six months | Increased by | |
| Black rust ratio(%) | 38.9 | 76.5 | 37.6 |
