INTRODUCTION SCALE CONTROL METHODS

Without some means of scale There are three methods of scale

inhibition, reverse osmosis (RO) control commonly employed:
membranes and flow passages
within membrane elements will Acidification
scale due to the precipitation of Ion Exchange softening, and
sparingly soluble salts. Some Antiscalant addition.
common examples of scale are
calcium carbonate, calcium Acid Addition:
sulphate, barium sulphate, and Acid addition destroys carbonate
strontium sulphate. Less commonly ions. This removes one of the
seen are silica and calcium fluoride reactants necessary for calcium
scales. carbonate precipitation. While
extremely effective in preventing
The effect of scale on the the precipitation of calcium
permeation rate of RO systems is carbonate, acid addition is
Precipitation illustrated in Figure 1. Following ineffective in preventing other types
an induction period, plant flow of scale such as calcium sulphate.
Prevention by decreases rapidly. The length of the The use of sulphuric acid may even
induction period varies with the make sulphate scale occurrence
SCALE type of scale and the degree of more likely since sulphuric acid
supersaturation of the sparingly contributes sulphate ion. The use of
INHIBITORS soluble salt. hydrochloric acid avoids this
problem but is more costly.
Inside this Bulletin: The induction period for calcium
carbonate is much shorter than that Additional disadvantages include
for sulphate scales such as calcium the corrosivity of the acid, the cost
Introduction.....……...... 1 sulphate. While there are effective of tanks and monitoring equipment,
cleaners for scale, economics and the fact that acid lowers the pH
strongly favour preventing scale of the RO permeate. Unless
Scale removed by degasification, excess
formation. Scale often plugs RO
Control Methods..…..... 1 element feed passages, making carbon dioxide contained in the
cleaning difficult and very time permeate of acid-fed systems
Predicting consuming. There is also the risk increases the cost of ion exchange
that scaling will damage membrane regeneration.
Scale Formation…........ 3
surfaces.

Antiscalant Selection.... 4
Figure 1 Effect of Scale on Permeation

Avista Technologies (UK) Ltd.

Waterside House, PO Box 28612
Edinburgh, EH14 5ZL

Telephone: 44 (0) 131 449 6677

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Email [email protected]
Web www.avistatech.co.uk

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Ion Exchange Softening: This comparison does not include submicroscopic level, negative
disposal costs for the spent softener groups located on the antiscalant
Ion Exchange softening utilises the regenerate, which are significant in molecule attack the positive charges
sodium form of strong acid cation some areas. Factoring in equipment on scale nuclei interrupting the
exchange resin. Sodium contained costs through a present worth electronic balance that is necessary
in the resin is exchanged for analysis, there is no level of to propagate growth of the crystal.
magnesium and calcium ions that hardness in which softening
are contained in the RO feedwater. competes economically with Figure 2 illustrates the threshold
These reactions are demonstrated by antiscalant addition. mechanism for calcium carbonate.
the following chemical equations. In the figure, antiscalant (R)
NaZ represents the sodium Antiscalants: terminates crystal growth by
exchange resin. Ca and Mg are attaching to the positively charged
calcium and magnesium, Antiscalants are surface-active calcium ions located at the corners
respectively. materials that interfere with of the crystal.
precipitation reactions in three
Ca+2 + 2NaZ 2Na+ + CaZ2 primary ways: Crystal modification is the property
Threshold inhibition of an antiscalant to distort crystal
Mg+2 + 2NaZ 2Na+ + MgZ2 Crystal modification shapes, resulting in soft, non-
Dispersion
When all of the sodium ions have
been replaced by calcium and Threshold inhibition is the ability of
an antiscalant to keep
… when compared to either
magnesium, the resin must be
regenerated with a brine (sodium supersaturated solutions of acid or antiscalant addition, the
chloride) solution. Ion exchange sparingly soluble salts in solution. main disadvantage to softening
softening eliminates the need for a is cost.
continuous feed of either acid or As crystals begin to form at the
antiscalant. Some advocate
softening as a means of removing
trace organics from RO feedstreams
as well as making colloidal SOFTENING
contaminants less likely to foul
membrane surfaces. Hardness, Equipment Cost Salt , Present Worth
ppm Costs per year
It is true that softening resin adsorbs 10 $20,000 $1,906 $27,566
many different organic molecules, 20 $20,000 $3,812 $35,133
50 $40,000 $9,530 $77,834
and softening increases the negative
100 $40,000 $23,825 $134,585
electrostatic charge of colloidal 250 $40,000 $47,600 $198,972
solids. However, there is no
persuasive evidence that either of ANTISCALANT ADDITION
these functions significantly
improves the performance of RO Hardness, Equipment Cost Antiscalant, Present Worth
systems. ppm Cost per year
10 $2,000 $1,300 $7,161
When compared to either acid or 20 $2,000 $1,300 $7,161
antiscalant addition, the main 50 $2,000 $1,300 $7,161
disadvantage to softening is cost. 100 $2,000 $1,300 $7,161
250 $2,000 $1,600 $8,352
Table 1 gives a cost comparison
between softening and antiscalant Footnote:
treatment options for different Skid mounted softeners, containing 40 ft3 (1.2 m3) of resin each. 50 ppm of
levels of hardness. The basis for hardness and above employ two softeners with one as standby.
this example is an RO system Kiln-dried rock salt for softener regeneration costs $0.17 per pound.
designed to produce 75 gpm (17 Antiscalant equipment consists of feed tank and pump.
m3/hr) of permeate at 75 % Antiscalant dosages range from 2 to 5 ppm
Amortization period for the present worth calculations is 5 years at 8% interest.
recovery.
Table 1 Cost Analysis of Softening vs. Antiscalant Addition

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adherant scale. When treated with Use of these predictors depends the scale formers is a function of
crystal modifiers, scale crystals upon an up-to-date water analysis ionic strength.
appear distorted, generally more and a knowledge of system design
oval in shape, and less compact. parameters. At a minimum, the Since the ions contained in the
water analysis must include the feedwater concentrate through the
Dispersancy is the ability of some following parameters: RO system, the point of maximum
antiscalants to adsorb on crystals or scale potential is the concentrate
colloidal particles and impart a high Aluminum Barium stream. Antiscalant dosage is
anionic charge. The high charge Calcium Chloride therefore based upon the mineral
tends to keep crystals separated. In Fluoride Iron analysis at this point, which is
addition, adsorption of dispersants Magnesium Manganese calculated from the feedwater
occurs in loops, thus adding a steric Phosphate Potassium analysis and the system recovery
barrier to crystal growth. pH P and Mo alkalinity factor.
Figure 3 illustrates these Silica Sodium
mechanisms. The high anionic Strontium Sulphate In general, the concentrate value for
charge also separates particles from Temperature Nitrate any individual ion is calculated by
fixed anionic charges present on the the following equation:
membrane surface. (In Figure 3, While the monovalent ions listed do
Cbi = (Cfi-SP*Cfi)
membrane is denoted by a line from not enter directly into precipitation
(1-R)
which fixed anionic charges reactions, they do contribute to the
Where,
originate.) total ionic strength of the feedwater,
Cfi = Concentration of ion in the
and the solubility of virtually all of
The modern formulator combines
different antiscalant components to
accentuate one or more of these
mechanisms in order to meet the
demands of specific water treatment
processes. Avista tailors its
antiscalant products to meet the
multiple needs of membrane
separation systems. In this process,
concerns regarding membrane
compatibility with the antiscalant,
antiscalant interactions with other
treatment chemicals, and the
antiscalant efficacy itself must all be
addressed.

Figure 2 Threshold Mechanism

PREDICTING
SCALE FORMATION

Precipitation of sparingly soluble

salts leads to scale formation. As
scale-forming ions concentrate
within the flow passages of RO
systems, a point may be reached in
which the solubility of one or more
of these salts is exceeded.

Fortunately for designers and

operators of RO systems,
calculation procedures exist for
predicting the likelihood of scale Figure 3 Dispersancy
formation.

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feedstream. The Avista Advisor software At pH of 7 and 25 degrees
Cbi = Concentration of ion in the calculations are based on this index Centigrade, silica solubility is 125
concentrate stream. to give an accurate antiscalant dose ppm. At pH 5 and 9, solubility
SP = Salt passage through the rate. increases to 150 and 238 ppm,
membrane of ion as a decimal. respectively.
R = System recovery as a decimal. Sulphate scales:
With an increase in temperature
Calcium carbonate scale potential: For specific conditions of from 25 to 35 degrees Centigrade,
temperature and ionic strength, silica solubility increases from 125
Calcium carbonate scale potential there is a specific solubility value to 145 ppm. Silica saturation is
is generally based upon the for each of the sulphate scales. This generally expressed as the ratio of
Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) value is the solubility product, silica actually present in the
when the TDS of the concentrate abbreviated K’sp. concentrate stream to the theoretical
stream is below about 6000 ppm. solubility at the actual concentrate
Above 6000 ppm an extension of The degree of saturation is pH and temperature.
the LSI known as the Stiff Davis expressed as the mole product of
Index is generally applied. sulphate times the balancing cation ANTISCALANT SELECTION
(calcium, barium, or strontium)
It is beyond the scope of this divided by the K’sp. Multiplying by Avista offers a choice of anti-
technical bulletin to give details on 100 converts this expression to scalant formulations which are
how these indices are calculated, percent saturation. detailed on the anti-scalant selection
but both depend upon the bulletin.
calculation of a saturation pH (pHs). (Cation) (Sulphate)*100
For given values of temperature, K’sp The selection of the best anti-
TDS, calcium, and alkalinity, scalant for your particular
saturation pH is defined as that pH Values greater than 100 percent application can be made by Avista.
in which calcium carbonate just indicate a tendency for precipitation. Alternatively our, easy to use,
becomes saturated. LSI or Stiff Values less than 100 percent projection software ‘Avista
Davis index is LSI or Stiff Davis indicate that the solution is Advisor’ is available to guide you to
Index = Actual pH - pHs. undersaturated with the sulphate the best anti-scalant and optimum
salt. dose rate.
When the LSI or Stiff Davis Index
is positive, it indicates a tendency Silica:
The picture on page 1 shows two
for calcium carbonate to precipitate.
A negative value indicates a scale Silica forms an amorphous thin film membranes, one
dissolving tendency. A zero value precipitate unlike that of calcium irreversibly fouled with calcium
indicates that calcium carbonate carbonate or the sulphate scales. carbonate scale and the second
will neither precipitate nor dissolve. Silica solubility is a function of both
permanently damaged by silica
When concentrate LSI or Stiff temperature and pH (See figure 4).
scale.
Davis indices are positive, some
form of scale control must be
applied.

These indices are used to calculate

if calcium carbonate will form in
your system.

To calculate how much antiscalant

you require to prevent this scaling a
separate index called the CCPP
(Calcium Carbonate Precipitation
Potential) is used. This measure
uses an iterative procedure to
calculate the actual quantity of scale
which would precipitate up to the
saturation level of the water (pHs).
TS - Vitec
Revision 1 - 06/02
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