Wilfred F. Langelier Papers

Wilfred F. Langelier was an American sanitary engineer and civil engineering professor. Born in 1886 in Nashua, New Hampshire, Langelier earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from New Hampshire College (now the University of New Hampshire) in 1909. From 1909 to 1916, he worked for the Illinois State Water Survey. While working at the Illinois State Water Survey, he earned his Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois (1911).

In 1916, Langelier joined the faculty of the University of California, Berkeley’s Department of Civil Engineering, where he enjoyed a long and distinguished career (1916-1955). He was brought to Cal-Berkeley to teach water chemistry by Charles G. Hyde, a renowned sanitary engineering pioneer. At Cal-Berkeley, he was best known for formulating the Langelier Saturation Index. Introduced in his 1936 journal article “The Analytical Control of Anti-Corrosion Water Treatment” and still used today, the Langelier Saturation Index determines how corrosive water might be to pipes and plumbing. He was also noted for his research on the coagulation/flocculation water treatment method. In addition to his research and teaching duties, Langelier served as consulting sanitary engineer for the East Bay Water Company (1921-1928). He retired from Cal-Berkeley in 1955.

Langelier was awarded five patents over the course of his career, including those for “Method of Water Purification” (1923) and “Process of Clarifying Turbid Water or Other Liquids” (1926). He was also an active member of the American Chemical Society and the American Water Works Association, and was the author of a number of journal articles and papers.

Wilfred F. Langelier passed away on September 13, 1981.

Sources

Wilfred F. Langelier Papers, Science History Institute Archives, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.