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 pipe.