Corrosion & Scale Prevention

Many of the key risks affecting operational efficiency and life-cycle of plant and equipment are associated with corrosion, scale deposition and fouling within the system’s wetted areas. As a consequence, these are factors of great importance.

HydroChem realises that the inhibition of corrosion, scaling and fouling is just as important as other risks associated with water treatment (such as Legionnaires’ disease). Our product range has been developed to manage these risks and thereby increase the efficiency of your operation, reduce your energy costs (including water usage) and maximise the life-cycle of your plant and equipment.

Technical Team

HydroChem’s services team is supported by an industry experienced technical team. The technical team comprises industrial chemists, chemical and mechanical engineers and computer scientists. The technical team ensures that our clients are provided with products and services that are technically, and economically, proven. The technical team also provides rapid industry focussed responses in its troubleshooting role.

Research and Development

HydroChem's technical team is continuously researching and developing new products to meet the changes in customer needs. Ongoing developments in monitoring and control are a high priority to ensure the most effective and efficient use of time and products.

Much of the innovation we deliver to our customers is the result of integrating research and development performed by our technical team, both in the laboratory and in the field. Our position at the forefront of worldwide technologies is guaranteed by our participation in international conferences and through the monitoring of international research and publications.

Training and Development

The training and development of the technicians who service your cooling tower systems is an important factor in minimising the risks associated with corrosion, scaling and fouling. The technician is responsible for maintaining the water chemistry in the system, ensuring the equipment is functioning effectively, identifying any issues associated with the system and reacting to those issues.

As technicians have a high level of responsibility, HydroChem places a high priority on training and development. Further detail on our training and development program can be found here.

The Terms Defined:

Corrosion is an electrochemical process whereby the oxidation of metal(s) or alloys to their oxides or cations takes place, resulting in loss of mechanical or structural strength and metal wastage. Corrosion takes many forms and includes MIC, which is corrosion taking place at the water-metal interface of a biofilm. Corrosion damages and eventually destroys metal.

Fouling produces dirty and inefficient cooling systems, impeding the flow of water. It involves the physical adherence to surfaces and mutual entanglement of insoluble salts, corrosion products, oils, fats and other process contaminants, air-blown debris and the like. Where fouling involves biomass, it is often termed biofouling and involves the formation of a biofilm. Fouling impedes water flow and limits heat transfer.

Scale Deposition involves the formation and precipitation of crystalline scales and the throwning down, within critical parts of the system, of silt, sand, muds and sediments. All these deposit components have the effect of reducing the rate of heat transfer. Corrosion can also occur under deposits. Scaling limits heat transfer which can lead to failures in heat transfer equipment (eg. boilers).

HydroChem minimises corrosion, scaling and fouling of water systems, increasing efficiencies, reducing energy costs (including water usage) and maximising the life-cycle of plant equipment.