Facilities that use wet processes and evaporation to produce phosphoric acid from phosphate rock frequently must combat scaling. Scaling occurs during evaporation when deposits accumulate on equipment such as heat exchangers, reducing production capacity. Without measures to prevent the formation of scale, phosphoric acid producers can experience significant downtime due to frequent cleanings.
Zalta antiscalants can be applied in these situations to significantly reduce scaling and downtime in phosphoric acid processing operations. Benefits recorded from actual commercial applications include:
- Increased production throughput
- Improved evaporator performance
- Extended run-time between cleanings
- Reduced cleaning time, effort and cost
- Mitigated downstream impact
- Reduced need for cleaning chemicals
Mode of Action
Zalta antiscalants include a family patented products that adsorb onto the microcrystalline structure of scale and block further growth sites of scale formation. These products are designed to prevent scaling under harsh phosphoric acid production conditions, offering a unique balance between high inhibition efficacy and no downstream poisoning.
Real-world Results
Solenis worked with one phosphoric acid producer to improve its production capacity, which was significantly reduced due to severe scaling. With the use of a Zalta antiscalant, the facility achieved the following results:
- 100,000 metric tons additional phosphoric acid produced per year
- $94 million increase in revenue per year
- 17 percent increase in phosphoric acid production volume
- 85 percent increase in production time between cleanings
- $300,000 decrease in chemical cleaning and waste disposal costs
More Information
To learn more about Zalta antiscalants for phosphoric acid processing or for free technical advice on a specific process challenge, ask a Solenis expert today.
