Overview
Cooling water systems, open recirculating towers, closed loops, and once-through configurations, require continuous chemical treatment to control scale deposition, corrosion, and microbiological fouling. In petrochemical plants, refineries, and LNG facilities, cooling water reliability is directly tied to process uptime; a fouled exchanger or corroded condenser tube can force an unplanned shutdown. Treatment programs are tailored to water chemistry, metallurgy, cycles of concentration, and environmental discharge limits.
Scale Inhibitors
Threshold inhibitors and crystal modifiers that prevent calcium carbonate, calcium sulphate, and silica scale deposition on heat transfer surfaces.
- Phosphonate-based, HEDP, ATMP, and PBTC chemistries for broad-spectrum carbonate and sulphate scale control
- Polymer-based (Polyacrylate, Maleic), crystal modification and dispersion of particulate scale in high-hardness systems
- Phosphate Ester, combined scale and corrosion inhibition for moderate-hardness cooling circuits
Corrosion Inhibitors
Film-forming and passivating inhibitors that protect carbon steel, copper alloys, and aluminium surfaces in cooling water circuits.
- Molybdate-based, anodic passivator for carbon steel, effective in alkaline pH programmes
- Phosphate-based, orthophosphate and polyphosphate blends for general carbon steel protection
- Zinc-based, cathodic inhibitor, often combined with phosphonate for synergistic protection
- Filming Amine, forms hydrophobic barrier on metal surfaces, used in closed-loop systems
Biocides
Oxidising and non-oxidising biocides for microbial control, biofilm prevention, and Legionella risk management in cooling towers.
- Oxidising: Chlorine, sodium hypochlorite or gas chlorination for routine microbial control
- Oxidising: Bromine, stabilised bromine for effective biocidal activity at higher pH
- Oxidising: Chlorine Dioxide, ClO₂ for biofilm penetration without halogenated by-products
- Non-oxidising: Isothiazoline, broad-spectrum sessile bacteria control, compatible with most treatment programmes
- Non-oxidising: Glutaraldehyde, fast-acting biocide for heavy biofouling events
- Non-oxidising: DBNPA, rapid kill, short half-life, suitable for systems with short retention time
Dispersants & Deposit Control
Polymeric and surfactant-based agents that keep suspended solids, silt, and corrosion products dispersed to prevent fouling deposits.
- Polymeric Dispersant, sulphonated co-polymers and terpolymers for silt and iron oxide dispersion
- Surfactant-based, non-ionic surfactants for oil and hydrocarbon contamination control in cooling water