Scale Control & Passivation

Information Sheet
Introduction Enva have developed a wide range of products for prevention and removal of scale, as well as for cleaning and passivation of pipework and plant. Antiscalent & Polystabil The build-up of scale is an unwanted phenomenon in industrial and effluent treatment processes. Mineral deposits, such as Magnesium Ammonium Phosphate (Struvite), Calcium Carbonate, Silicates and Iron Oxides can precipitate in pipe systems and in the interior of dewatering machines. Time consuming and expensive maintenance work causes downtime and loss of production. Our solution is our Antiscalent & Polystabil range of products. At relatively low dose rates, these products can achieve effective inhibition control over a wide range of mineral deposits. Cleaning schedules can be prolonged significantly or become completely unnecessary. Hence plant availability, running time and lifetime can be greatly enhanced. Descale & Passivation Stainless Steel Systems if not subjected to a rigorous pre-commission cleaning (a process sometimes known as passivation within the industry, prior to commissioning) will be subject to corrosion resulting in "Rouge" formation and pitting. The integrity of systems, particularly sanitary water systems in the Electronic and Pharmaceutical industry is of the utmost importance to the operator and if not maintained can lead to problems such as rouge deposits on membranes, spindles, valve seats, filters, small bore equipment such as extrusion cooling and other heat transfer equipment. To prevent such problems, industry has traditionally carried out a passivation process comprising an alkaline degreasing step using an alkaline degreaser compound followed by application of a mineral acid such as Nitric or Phosphoric Acid. This was potentially for removing free iron from surfaces and supposedly rendering them "passive". While this approach was not very effective, it did not cause any real harm.

Scale Control & Passivation

Information Sheet
Today, however, due to the practice of stainless steel recycling and the modern practice of Aluminium being employed as a metal grain control agent during the manufacturing stage, stainless steel can display somewhat different characteristics. Where Nitric Acid had formerly possibly picked up a little free iron, then dulled the surface, it had not caused real harm. However, Nitric in contact with recycled stainless surfaces containing inclusions such as Aluminium, Maganese and Sulphur, can remove the Maganese as Maganese Nitrate, and the Sulphur as Hydrogen Sulphide. This leaves Aluminium virtually untouched, centred in a micro pit and able to commence galvanic action i.e. pitting corrosion. Halogen based systems are in fact etchants, which can selectively combine with Chromium, leading to Chromium depleted stainless. Upon re-exposure to a corroding medium, this can quickly form new corrosion products of a more tenacious sort. The Mixed Chelant Approach Descale G80 based on organic acid salts is a highly selective and effective chelating product, which can remove a highly diverse series of contaminant materials, without any risk to the base materials being cleaned, leading to improved passivation. Organic acids are widely found in nature and because Descale G80 is based on organic acid salts it is safe to use and is highly biodegradable. Descale G80 is formulated to function as a single step product. It effectively removes grease and deposits in one single application without the necessity for heating of the re-circulating liquid. The benefits of using this type of product include: Improved Safety Single Step Application No Need for Heating Fully Biodegradable Reduced Costs Reduced Man Hours Disposal Costs Reduced or Eliminated No Risk to Underlying Metals
For detailed information on the full range of products and services offered by Enva, check out www.enva.ie