Applications
Eliminate Mineral Scale Efficiently with Proven Chemical Solutions​
Scale buildup costs you time, damages your equipment, and hits your bottom line. At FQE Chemicals, our targeted mineral scale treatments help you remove the right scale, the right way—quickly, safely, and effectively.
Understanding the Types of Scale
Mineral scale deposition is a direct result from a saturated aqueous solution being subject to a single or combination of external factors. Any changes to temperature, pressure, pH shift, % solids, and other factors, could drive the solution to oversaturated state and surpass the saturation/solubility index. This imbalance results in precipitation of scale.
Carbonate-Based Scale
Scales that are carbonate-based are salts of carbonic acid (CO3-2) which are common and even show up in homes at as calcium scale. Calcium carbonate (Calcite) is the most common carbonate and is the main component in limestone. One key characteristic of carbonate scale is they are susceptible to attack by acids. A simple field test to identify the presence of carbonates is to use a few small drops of acid (like HCl) which will begin to effervesce and bubble as carbon dioxide is produced.
Sulfate-Based Scale
Sulfate scales are derived from Group (II) metal ions (Alkaline Earth Metals) which decrease in solubility down the group on the periodic table. These limited solubility scales like barium sulfate and strontium sulfate scale form very hard deposits. These scale types are not acid-labile and will not react in the presence of an acid. Mechanical means of removing this scale proves very difficult due to the hardness.
NORM (Naturally Occuring Radioactive Material)
Scale deposits may contain naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). Three types of radiation are emitted by NORM which are alpha, beta, and gamma. The presence of NORM and the potential for human exposure to radioactivity is to be taken very seriously.
Dictating Treatment Options Flowchart
(Click image to view in a larger format)
Steps
1
2
3
4
5
6
Steps
1
2
Use HCl or household vinegar to see if sample bubbles
If bubbles are created from the acid the remediation may need to take place in 2-steps
If there is no bubbling, &/or little rust then proceed to step 6
3
4
Excess hydrocarbon, oil or wax present will decrease or prevent water wetting of substrate for treatment.
Use common degreasing treatment before scale removal
5
6
Chemical Products
FQE Scale-Solv is an engineered cleaning
compound for removal of scale deposits and is especially effective for the removal of iron oxides and water salt deposits such as calcium carbonate.
FQE Barium-Clear will control scale in operating systems where traditional acid treatments are not effective. This product is frequently used to increase oil and gas, and petrochemical production by removing mineral scale that is restricting flow.
FQE NORM-Clear is the only chemical available for the removal of NORM contamination found in vessels, tanks, and process pipework. This product can be added at the end of equipment decontamination and can be dosed into the steam vapor or applied through liquid circulation.
