Effective chemical treatment of cooling systems must balance both performance and environmental responsibilities while maintaining operational excellence. With increasing restrictions on phosphorus discharge and growing emphasis on sustainable practices, particularly in the UK, facilities need to understand their options for greener solutions. In this blog, we'll explore cooling water inhibitors, examine recent innovations in treatment options, and help you evaluate the best solution for your cooling system needs.
What is a Cooling Water Inhibitor?
A cooling water inhibitor is a specialised chemical treatment added to industrial cooling water systems to prevent various forms of damage and deterioration. It works by forming protective films on metal surfaces to prevent corrosion, controlling scale formation from mineral deposits, and inhibiting biological growth. While traditional inhibitor programs typically contain heavy metals (Zinc), phosphates, polymers, azoles, and molybdates, environmental concerns are growing. During cooling system 'blowdown' - the controlled discharge of concentrated cooling water to maintain proper system chemistry - residuals of these active ingredients become a less desirable addition to wastewater leaving a facility. This is particularly concerning in certain regions of the UK, where increasing restrictions on phosphorus discharge are driving the need to reduce these chemical additions to water supplies.
What are the Innovations in Inhibitior Chemistries?
Recent innovations in inhibitor chemistries have introduced high performance with non-metallic compounds and products which do not contain phosphorus or perform with lower phosphorus based compounds. The utilisation of alternative applications methods (using solid based chemistry versus liquid chemistry) affords improvements to packaging, transport and manual handling costs.
These advanced inhibitors can be utilised to drive higher performance through increased concentration cycling (the number of times water can be recycled in the cooling system before requiring blowdown). By enabling more cycles of concentration, these inhibitors allow facilities to significantly reduce water consumption and chemical usage while maintaining protection against scaling and corrosion, even at higher mineral concentrations.
Considerations for your cooling system
- Do you need a low or non-phosphorus program?
- If the blowdown does go directly to the environment, then you may consider a low or non-phosphorus program
- Does your blowdown go to a biological treatment plant?
- If the blowdown goes to a biological treatment plant, then phosphorus will be needed for biological treatment
- If your blowdown goes to a biological treatment plant, then you will need to ensure that the chemicals in the cooling system will be degraded by the biological treatment plant and not harm the bacteria
- Does your blowdown go to a recycling treatment?
- Make sure chemicals in the blowdown are compatible with the process where the water is being recycled.
- Does your blowdown go directly to the environment?
- Look for low P or non-P programs and products that are readily or inherently biodegradable
- Are there opportunities to improve on local social responsibilities?
- Look into what the corporate or local green initiatives are and what chemicals might help?
Our Hydrex range of cooling water inhibitors that offer ‘green’ alternatives include:
Hydrex 2281: a zinc-free solid chemical used as an organic scale and corrosion inhibitor for cooling towers fed with medium to hard water. The use of solid chemicals means that there are no heavy drums to handle which reduces the risk of injury from manual handling and also from hazardous spills and splashes. Solid chemicals also have a better environmental profile in relation to transportation and warehousing, this also means that less storage space on site is necessary.
Hydrex 2438: a non-zinc-based cooling system corrosion and scale inhibitor. It includes an inorganic film forming corrosion inhibitor and specific agents to avoid scaling and deposits of suspended solids. It exhibits excellent corrosion inhibition on softened and low hardness waters.
Hydrex 2111: a non-phosphorus-based antiscalant and corrosion inhibitor.
Hydrex 2340: an organic antiscalant and corrosion inhibitor. It contains no metallic salt or phosphorus.
Hydrex 9209: a zinc-free and phosphorus-free scale inhibitor and dispersant. It has exceptional stability in harsh water conditions. It is the best in class at crystal habit modification for calcite scale and can be used to replace or reduce phosphonates and P contribution. It is highly effective at low dosages.
If you would like to understand the alternatives to your existing program, your first step is to arrange a free consultation with one of our experts, and you can contact us here.
