Scale and Corrosion Prevention in Cooling Water Systems Part II: Calcium Sulphate
This paper describes an experimental study on calcium sulphate scaling and prevention by newly treated poly- acrylamide in a laboratory model. In order to study the inhibiting capacity of the chemical used, experiments were per- formed in solutions involving treatment of synthetic sea water with different concentrations of the polymer. Polyacryla- mide gave significantly lower precipitation rate compared to the treatment in absence of inhibitor. The inhibitor probably is adsorbed on the active growth sites of the initially formed crystals. The performances of scale inhibitor with different concentrations were analyzed in terms of the amount of soluble calcium ions in solution. The results showed that the amount of scale was reduced to 0.00%, with, 10-15 ppm polymer additions, after 1 day incubation at 90°C. Antiscale agents specific to calcium sulphate deposits have recently been developed and tested on a laboratory scale. The work was also extended to study the corrosion inhibition of polyacrylamide to both C-steel and copper specimens in contact with synthetic cooling water environment. Electrochemical polarization techniques reveal that the inhibitor acts as anodic type with respect to C-steel and mixed type for copper. Corrosion current jcorr and corrosion rate CR were reduced and inhibi- tion efficiency IE% increases with polymer additions. The inhibition effects are due to the formation of protective film. Morphological investigation for CaSO4. 2H2O gypsum crystals formed in synthetic sea water indicate reduction of cal- cium sulphate crystals in the presence of the polymer as indicated by scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies.
A Novel Biodegradable Poly (Hydroxybutanedioic Acid-co-2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic Acid) Copolymer for Water Treatment Applications
Minimizing the formation of inorganic scale deposits in industrial water continues to be a challenge for water treatment systems. In order to meet this challenge a novel biodegradable poly (DL-malic acid-co-citric acid) copolymer, effective in providing calcium carbonate scale inhibition was developed. Synthesis and characterization of the biodegradable, water-soluble and polyester copolymer was performed. Synthesis was done by direct bulk melt condensation in the absence of a catalyst above 150°C. Characterization of the copolymer was carried out using infrared absorption spectra (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) equipment. In the present work the precipitation of calcium carbonate from relative supersaturated solutions at different weight ratios of comonomer inhibition rates have been studied. The results indicate that the copolymer is an effective calcium carbonate descaling inhibitor that suppresses the growth process against calcium mineral scale deposits.
Brushite-collagen composites for bone regeneration.
Brushite-based biomaterials are of special interest in bone regeneration due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability; on the other hand, collagen is a well-known osteoconductive biomaterial. In the present study a new brushite-collagen composite biomaterial is reported. This new biomaterial was prepared by combining citric acid/collagen type I solutions with a brushite cement powder. The obtained biomaterial was a cement paste, with improved handling properties. The effect of collagen on the setting reaction of brushite cement was studied, and was found to speed up the cement setting reaction. The cement paste set into a hard ceramic material within 18.5+/-2.1min and had compressive strength similar to that of spongeous bone (48.9+/-5.9MPa in dry conditions and 12.7+/-1.5MPa in humid conditions). The combination of collagen with citric acid revealed an interesting synergistic effect on the compressive strength of the composite material. Moreover, this new biomaterial had excellent cohesion properties (ninefold better than brushite cement), and high cellular adhesion capacity (threefold higher than brushite cement). The composite biomaterial described in this study combines good handling properties, compressive strength, cohesion and cell adhesion capacity, along with the osteoconductive and biodegradable properties inherent in brushite and in collagen-based biomaterials.