Alternative to the Use of Phosphonates in Cooling Water Systems

The lack of raw materials to manufacture phosphonates has led to a supply problem in the market place. This has significantly increased the cost of phosphonates that are traditionally used in cooling water formulations. The major uses of these phosphonates in cooling water systems are to control calcium carbonate scale deposition and ferrous metal corrosion control.

A laboratory study has been carried out to replace phosphonates in a cost effective manner with an alternative product (Product A) that provides the same performance as the phosphonate. The methods employed in this study were the test rig with zero blowdown, Rotating Coupon test, and Process Simulations test using different water chemistries. The results show that Product A has both calcium carbonate scale control and ferrous metal corrosion control properties that are equivalent to phosphonates and can replace the phosphonates in existing cooling water formulations that are currently being used.