Title: No Phosphonate? The Effective Use and Limits of Polymers
Learner Objectives:
The aim of this paper is to equip the AWT membership with an understanding of the consequences (Pros and Cons) of using polymers as phosphonate substitutes.
Content/Topic Outline:
1. Explain and compare the basics of functionality between common phosphonates and polymers.
2. Use comparative data and examples of polymers versus HEDP and PBTC to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment approach.
3. Summarize typical formulations with and without the use of phosphonates and define use limits supported by lab, pilot, field and computer modeling data.
Presenter:
Mike Standish will present this paper.
Presentation Description:
Water treatment professionals use chemicals and equipment to control mineral scale, metals corrosion, and microbial growth in process applications such as cooling towers. Recent disruptions in raw material supplies have significantly altered how water treatment companies formulate products and, ultimately, service their customers. One primary disruption has been the availability and cost of phosphonate chemistries which are heavily relied upon for the control of mineral scale and mild steel corrosion. The aim of this paper is to equip the AWT membership with an understanding of the consequences (Pros and Cons) of using polymers as phosphonate substitutes for mineral scale control.
In order to compare and contrast phosphonates and polymers, this paper provides a detailed description of how these additives contribute to the primary mineral scale control functionalities of threshold inhibition, crystal modification, colloidal stabilization, and particulate dispersion. Extensive laboratory induction time experiments and pilot cooling evaluations are used to present HEDP and PBTC phosphonates versus a patent pending enhanced polymaleic acid for the control of calcium carbonate up to a calcite saturation of ~ 240X. The data presented provide a fair comparison of each technology type along with resulting dosage requirements, limits of use, and required formulation adjustments to allow the AWT membership to take an informed approach to substituting polymers for phosphonate technology.
Presenter Bio:
Michael Standish is founder of Radical Polymers, LLC, a business designed to specifically develop and provide technologies to the independent water treatment community. Mike has 36 year’s experience in water treatment additive design, development and evaluation. Prior to forming Radical Polymers, Mike served as Senior Business Manager for International Specialty Products and Global Business Manager for National Starch's Alco Chemical business. Mike has served on the Board of Directors of AWT and holds a BS in Chemistry and Masters in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.