Scale inhibitors can prevent scale deposits from degrading the formation or blocking production tubes, causing flow assurance concerns. Calcium carbonate, calcium sulphate, barium sulphate, and strontium sulphate are the most frequent oilfield scales. As a result, scale inhibitor manufacturers are continually exploring new solutions to improve their products.

Corrosion and scale inhibitors are compounds that, when given in modest quantities to water that would ordinarily cause scale deposits, delay or prevent corrosion or scale development. A practical example is limescale prevention in washing machines.

Corrosion is defined as the deterioration and loss of a material and its essential qualities due to chemical, electrochemical, and other processes between the exposed material surface and the surrounding environment. Professor Langelier's study in 1936 best identified the tendency for water corrosion or scale deposition.

He provided circumstances under which water is balanced with calcium carbonate, allowing one to forecast whether particular water will precipitate or dissolve calcium carbonate. Scale inhibitors or antiscalants are organic compounds with sulphonate, phosphate, or carboxylic acid functional groups and chelating agents like charcoal, alum, and zeolites that sequester and neutralise a specific ion that may develop.

So, how does scale inhibition work? - Either by adding compounds that react with potential scale-forming substances, resulting in a thermodynamically stable zone or by introducing molecules that inhibit crystal development. Low chemical doses are employed for surface or equipment treatments to prevent scale over extended periods of time.

Scale inhibitors, according to leading chemical manufacturing companies, commonly lessen scaling concerns in near-wellbore and wellbore settings. A corrosion inhibitor is a chemical substance that, when added to a liquid or gas, reduces the corrosion rate of a material that comes into contact with the fluid, often metal or an alloy.

Chemicals react with the metal surface or ambient gases, creating erosion and interfering with the chemical process that produces corrosion. The efficiency of a corrosion inhibitor is determined by fluid composition, water amount, and flow regime. Inhibitors can act by adsorbing the surface of the metal and producing a protective coating.

Corrosion inhibitors are classified into four types: anodic inhibitors, cathodic inhibitors, mixed inhibitors, and volatile corrosion inhibitors (VCI). Scale Inhibitors provide the following advantages:

• Inhibits corrosion in a variety of closed recirculating systems.

• Avoid electrolytic corrosion.

• Guard against cavitation and erosion.

• Keep metal surfaces safe.

• Cost-effective, simple to apply and use

• Provide enhanced performance

• Assist in lowering cleaning and maintenance expenditures

• Increase dependability

• Improve operating efficiency

Corrosion and scale inhibitors have a variety of applications, including:

• Heating and cooling systems with a closed circuit.

• Water treatment in cooling towers.

• Recirculating cooling systems that are open.

• Surfaces of heat transport in boilers.

• System for once-through and potable water.

• Carbon steel equipment in the oil and gas business.

Corrosion and scale inhibition can take several shapes depending on the corroded metal. Effective corrosion reduction programmes also include proper monitoring and eradicating acute surface conditions to avoid reactive metal combinations. Corrosion and scaling occur in the same way as any other chemical reaction, i.e. given the right conditions. Still, they may be slowed down with the proper corrosion and scale inhibitor technique.

Aquapharm, for example, offers a variety of scale inhibitors and antiscalants for reducing the production of any scale. Mineral and inorganic hard scales can cause various issues, such as lost productivity, higher maintenance and utility expenses, poor product quality, and unexpected downtime.

PESA is a non-phosphorus and non-nitrogen scale inhibitor for calcium carbonate, calcium sulphate, calcium fluoride, and silica scale now available from Aquapharm Chemicals. Connect with them now for more information!