In the advancing industrial landscape, water scale and corrosion present persistent challenges in critical plants and systems. LK-318, a high-performance scale inhibitor and corrosion inhibitor designed specifically for power plants and cooling towers, sets the benchmark for effective water system protection. This article provides a thorough overview of LK-318 and the broader landscape of scale inhibitor technologies, incorporating technical analyses, application scenarios, performance comparisons, and authoritative benchmarking for water treatment professionals.
Figure: Appearance of LK-318 Scale and Corrosion Inhibitor
1. Industry Trends & Market Overview: Scale and Corrosion Inhibitor Demand
According to the MarketsandMarkets 2023 report, the global scale and corrosion inhibitor market is projected to reach USD 9.2 billion by 2027, with CAGR of 5.5%. Key drivers include:
- Rising demand for efficient water treatment in the power generation, petrochemical, and metallurgical industries.
- Stringent environmental standards (e.g., ISO 14001, REACH) and improved regulatory frameworks urging advanced inhibitor chemicals.
- Growing adoption of scale inhibitors for cooling tower and high-pressure steam systems to minimize operational downtime and energy loss.
2. LK-318 Scale Inhibitor — Chemical Profile & Technical Specifications
Main Technical Parameters of LK-318 Scale and Corrosion Inhibitor
Parameter |
Value |
Industry Standard |
Testing Method |
Chemical Composition |
Organic phosphonic acid, Polycarboxylate, Azole corrosion inhibitors |
ISO 9001:2015 |
ICP-MS, HPLC |
Appearance |
Light yellow clear liquid |
GB/T 191 |
Visual/Colorimetry |
pH (1% Solution at 25℃) |
2.0 – 3.0 |
ISO 10523 |
pH Meter |
Density (20℃, g/cm³) |
1.15 ± 0.05 |
GB/T 4472 |
Hydrometer |
Anti-scaling Efficiency |
99.1% (CaCO₃ inhibition) |
HG/T 2840 |
Static Test |
Corrosion Inhibition Rate |
98.5% (Carbon steel) |
HG/T 3523 |
Electrochemical Test |
Phosphorus Content (%) |
10.5 ± 0.5 |
ISO 6878 |
Spectrophotometry |
Chloride Content (%) |
< 0.5 |
GB/T 11806 |
Ion Chromatography |
Recommended Dosage (mg/L) |
20-40 |
Site trial optimization |
Field dosing |
Service Life |
>12 months sealed |
ISO 9001:2015 |
Stability Test |
3. Manufacturing Process of LK-318 (Flow Diagram & Key Steps)
LK-318 Production Flow Diagram
Raw Materials Preparation
(Phosphonic acid, carboxylate, corrosion inhibitors, deionized water)
→
Automated Weighing & Dispensing
→
Chemical Blending & Thermal Reaction
(Controlled at 60-75°C to ensure polymerization)
→
Cooling & Filtration
(Remove particulates, stabilize solution)
→
QC Testing
(pH, density, anti-scaling, corrosion inhibition)
→
Filling & Packaging
(ISO-certified, sealed container111s)
Key Nodes:
- All blending tanks made of 316L stainless steel (corrosion resistant, compliant with ANSI/ASME BPE).
- CNC-automated dosing and reaction control, achieving repeatability & product consistency (<2% batch deviation).
- Inline chemical purity testing at every batch (meeting ISO 9001).
- Final products undergo simulated 600-hour corrosion & scaling testing before release.
4. Product Advantages: LK-318 vs. Conventional Scale & Corrosion Inhibitors
Comparison Table: LK-318 vs. Mainstream Scale and Corrosion Inhibitors
Feature |
LK-318 |
Conventional Phosphate |
Common Polyacrylates |
Anti-scaling Efficiency |
99.1% |
90-94% |
88-93% |
Corrosion Inhibition Rate |
98.5% |
91-95% |
84-92% |
Composition |
Multi-polymer, non-toxic, organic |
Ortho/polyphosphates (may promote algae) |
Polycarboxylates only |
pH Operation Window |
6.0–9.5 (Wide) |
6.5–8.0 |
7.0–8.5 |
Chloride Resistance |
<350 ppm Cl- |
<120 ppm Cl- |
<100 ppm Cl- |
Coal/Steam Industry Adaptation |
Excellent (prevents Fe/Ca/Mg scale) |
Medium |
Low |
Meets ISO/ANSI Standards |
Yes (ISO 9001, 14001, ANSI/NSF 60) |
Partial |
No |
Biodegradability |
High (>60%) |
Medium (<40%) |
Low |
Application Dosage (mg/L) |
20–40 |
40–60 |
80–100 |
Anti-scaling
Corrosion Inhibition
Others
5. Application Scenarios: Where LK-318 Shines
- Thermal and Coal-Fired Power Plants: Maintains heat exchanger, boiler, and condenser efficiency by preventing calcium, magnesium, and iron scale while reducing corrosion of steel tubes under harsh cycling conditions.
- Chemical and Petrochemical Plants: High compatibility with methanol, ethylene glycol, toluene, and strong acids/alkalis in closed loop/cooling tower environments.
- Steel & Metallurgical Industries: Guards against scale/corrosion on cold/hot rolling mill cooling circuits.
- Municipal Water Networks: Ensures stable water quality, reducing pipe scaling and maintenance.
- Industrial Water Cooling Towers: Outperforms typical water scale inhibitors by reducing chemical dosage and prolonging spray nozzle/pump lifespan.
Typical Engineering Case Studies
Case A: 800 MW Thermal Power Plant (Jiangsu, China)
- Water system: Circulating cooling tower (makeup 8000 m³/h).
- Problem: Severe calcium scaling and 2.1 mm/year steel pipe corrosion.
-
Solution: Adopted
LK-318 at 30 mg/L (replacing previous inorganic phosphate mix).
-
Result: Scale reduced by 95%, corrosion rate drops to 0.07 mm/year, 15% reduction in chemical cost, heat exchanger efficiency up +11.4% after 6 months.
Case B: Municipal District Heating System (Northern Europe)
- Pipe network: 250 km steel pipeline, variable pH, high dissolved oxygen.
- LK-318 enabled operation under wider pH & oxygen content, extended pipe service interval from 1.5 years to over 5 years without relining.
- Customer comment: "The LK-318 inhibitor combined with onsite support has halved our annual water treatment maintenance cost."
Case C: Chemical Plant Cooling Tower
- Environment: Acidic, high organic loading, frequent temperature fluctuation.
- LK-318 restored anti-scaling efficacy above 98% even as temperatures rose from 28°C to 45°C, outperforming competitors which dropped below 92%.
6. Customization and Technical Solution Service
Every industrial system presents unique water chemistry. LK-318 can be tailored through polymer chain length, inhibitor blends, and dosage adaptation.
- Free Onsite Water Analysis: Full ionic and corrosion potential mapping.
- System Simulation: Predictive fouling and corrosion models (using ASTM D1125/D1126 for baseline).
- Custom Blends: Phosphorus-reduced, food-grade (FDA/NSF compatibility) and high chloride formulations available.
- Long-term Monitoring: Integrated remote sensors for online performance verification.
Delivery Cycle: Standard stock: 5-7 days. Custom blends: 10-16 days.
Warranty: All
LK-318 products come with 24 months performance guarantee against scaling and corrosion failures under recommended usage.
Customer Support: 7x24h technical hotline, multilingual manuals, and onsite commissioning available worldwide.
7. Frequently Asked Professional Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the base material composition of LK-318?
A: LK-318 consists of organophosphonic acids, polycarboxylate copolymers, and azole derivatives. All are environmentally responsible and comply with current ISO/REACH/FDA guidelines for water treatment chemicals.
Q2: What is the recommended dosing and dilution method for LK-318 in cooling towers?
A: Initial dosage is 25–40 mg/L; optimum level to be adjusted per inlet water quality using ISO 5667-5 sampling protocols. Can be injected via auto-dosing pumps (ANSI/ISA compliant). Dilute 1:10 in deionized water for easier handling in large reservoirs.
Q3: What are the performance testing and control standards for LK-318?
A: Each batch is tested for anti-scaling (HG/T 2840), corrosion inhibition static test (HG/T 3523), thermal and pH stability (ASTM D1125/D1126). Certificates of analysis supplied with every shipment.
Q4: Which pipes and materials are compatible with LK-318?
A: Fully compatible with carbon steel, stainless steel (incl. 304/316L), copper alloys, various plastics (PVC, PP, PPR) — prevents scaling and corrosion even at metallic joints and gaskets.
Q5: Are there installation or maintenance standards to follow?
A: Yes, follow ISO 9001 maintenance routines—regularly monitor water chemistry, inspect dosing pumps (check for ANSI B16.5 seal), and verify residual inhibitor concentration bi-weekly.
Q6: How does LK-318 handle high-chloride or high-alkalinity waters?
A: LK-318 tolerates up to 350 ppm chloride and high alkalinity (up to pH 9.5). No precipitation or loss in efficacy under these conditions, as confirmed by independent ASTM and ISO test labs.
Q7: What is the shelf life and how is LK-318 packaged?
A: LK-318 is stable for 12–24 months in sealed, UV-resistant ISO-certified drums (25 kg or 200 kg). Store at 5–40°C away from oxidizers for best results.
8. Industry Certifications & Authoritativeness
- Certifications: LK-318 manufacturing is ISO 9001/14001 certified, meets ANSI/NSF 60 drinking water standards.
- Endorsements: Cited by leading utilities in China, EU, and Southeast Asia, adopted in cooperation projects with Siemens, Veolia, and Huaneng Group.
- Testing Data: Corroborated by National Center of Water Treatment Chemicals (China) and third-party TÜV Rheinland laboratories (tuv.com).
9. Conclusion: Why Choose LK-318 for Your Scale & Corrosion Control
For high-stakes applications, LK-318 provides optimal scaling and corrosion protection under extreme conditions. Its robust technical data, regulatory compliance, industrial validation, and customization flexibility make it the preferred scale and corrosion inhibitor for cooling tower, power, and process water systems. Supported by international authorities, comprehensive guarantees, and responsive service, LK-318 is the professional’s choice for reliability and efficiency.
References and Further Reading
- Water Treatment Chemicals Market Analysis 2023–2028: MarketsandMarkets
- National Standard Test Methods for Water Treatment Chemicals: China Water Network
- Corrosion Inhibitors for Cooling Water (peer-reviewed): ScienceDirect
- ISO/ANSI International Water Chemistry Standards: ISO Technical Committee TC147
- User Experiences with High-Performance Scale Inhibitors: LinkedIn Water & Process Chemicals Forum