Scale Inhibitors. Scale Inhibitors.

Cooling systems can be operated at higher cycles of

concentration and/or higher pH when appropriate scale inhibitors are applied. These materials
interfere with crystal growth, permitting operation at "supersaturated" conditions. Organic
phosphates, also called phosphonates, are commonly used to inhibit calcium carbonate scale.
Phosphonates or various polymeric materials can be used to inhibit other types of scale, such as
calcium sulfate and calcium phosphate.
There is a relatively high-quality makeup water at various cycles of concentration. With no chemical
additives of any type, this water is limited to 2 cycles. At 5 cycles the pH is approximately 8.3, and
the LSI is +1.5. The system can be operated without acid feed if a scale inhibitor is used. At 10
cycles with no acid feed, the LSI is +2.5 and the water is treatable with a calcium carbonate scale
inhibitor. At 15 cycles and no acid feed, the theoretical pH is 9.2 and the LSI is +3.2. In this case, the
water cannot be treated effectively at 15 cycles with conventional calcium carbonate inhibitors. Acid
should be fed to reduce the pH to 8.7 or below so that a scale inhibitor may be used.
Table 31-2. Recirculating cooling water at various cycles.

Circulating Circulating Circulating

Circulating Water
Water at Water at Water at 10
at 15 cycles
2 cycles 5 cycles cycles

Makeup No Acid No Acid No Acid Acid for

No Acid Feed
Water Feed Feed Feed pH 8.7

Calcium
(as CaCO3), 50 100 250 500 750 750
ppm

Magnesium
(as CaCO3), 20 40 100 300 300 300
ppm

M Alkalinity
(as CaCO3), 40 80 200 400 600 310
ppm

Sulfate
40 80 200 400 600 890
(as SO4-2), ppm

Chloride (as Cl- 10 20 50 100 150 150

Silica (as
10 20 50 100 150 150
SiO2), ppm

pH 7.0 7.6 8.3 8.9 9.2 8.7

pHs (120 °F) 8.2 7.6 6.8 6.4 6.0 6.2

LSI -1.2 0 +1.5 +2.5 +3.2 +2.5

RSI 9.4 7.6 5.3 3.9 2.8 3.7

CaCO3
B B/S B/S X B/A/S
Controlled by a:

a B, blowdown only; B/S, blowdown plus scale inhibitor; B/A/S, blowdown plus aid plus CaCO3 scale
inhibitor; X, cannot operate.
General Fouling Control
Species that do not form scale (iron, mud, silt, and other debris) can also cause deposition problems.
Because these materials are composed of solid particles, their deposition is often more flow-related
than heat-related. Suspended solids tend to drop out in low-flow areas, such as the tower sump and
heat exchangers with cooling water on the shell side. In addition to serving as a water reservoir, the
tower sump provides a settling basin. The accumulated solids can be removed from the sump
periodically by vacuum or shoveling methods. Natural and synthetic polymers of various types can be
used to minimize fouling in heat exchangers.
Organic process contaminants, such as oil and grease, can enter a system through exchanger leaks.
Surfactants can be used to mitigate the effects of these materials. Fouling is addressed in further
detail in Chapter 25.
Biological Fouling Control
An open recirculating cooling system provides a favorable environment for biological growth. If this
growth is not controlled, severe biological fouling and accelerated corrosion can occur. Corrosion
inhibitors and deposit control agents cannot function effectively in the presence of biological
accumulations.
A complete discussion of microorganisms and control of biological fouling can be found in Chapter
26. Oxidizing antimicrobials (e.g., chlorine and halogen donors) are discussed in Chapter 27.
CORROSION CONTROL PROGRAMS
The addition of a single corrosion inhibitor, such as phosphate or zinc, is not sufficient for effec-tive
treatment of an open recirculating cooling system. A comprehensive treatment program that
addresses corrosion and all types of deposition is required. All corrosion inhibitor programs require a
good biological control program and, in some cases, supplemental deposit control agents for specific
foulants.