Scale inhibitor is a chemical used for water treatment, mainly to prevent or reduce the deposition of scale (including hard water components such as calcium and magnesium) on pipelines, equipment, and surfaces. The following are the main functions and principles of scale inhibitors:
Prevention of scale accumulation: Scale inhibitors change their solubility by complexing with hard water components such as calcium and magnesium in water, making it difficult to deposit or form scale, thus avoiding the accumulation of scale on pipelines, equipment, and surfaces.
Disperse scale particles: Scale inhibitors can disperse scale particles in water, keeping them in a discrete state, preventing them from gathering and depositing on the surface of the equipment, and taking them away through flow.
Diffusion control: Scale inhibitors can change the interaction force between scale particles in water, slow down their adhesion rate on the surface of pipelines and equipment, and prevent further growth and deposition of scale.
Equipment protection: Scale inhibitors can prevent the formation of thick layers of scale inside the equipment and on the heat exchange surface, thereby preventing a decrease in equipment efficiency, an increase in energy consumption, and extending the service life of the equipment.
The principles of scale inhibitors mainly involve complex reactions, dispersion, diffusion control, and surface adsorption. They undergo chemical reactions with hard water components in water to change their solubility or dispersion state, thereby preventing the deposition and formation of scale of hard water components. The specific formulation and usage methods of scale inhibitors may vary depending on the application field and water quality conditions. When using, appropriate scale inhibitors should be selected based on the actual situation and follow the product instructions and recommendations provided by the supplier.