A novel attach-and-release mineral scale control strategy: Laboratory investigation of retention and release of scale inhibitor on pipe surface

Abstract A novel “attach-and-release” approach has been experimentally evaluated as an alternative scale control strategy for pipe flow system. Phosphonate scale inhibitor was initially attached to calcium carbonate medium on the surface of the pipe. Subsequently, the retained inhibitor was released into the flowing fluid for scale control. A plug-flow tube reactor apparatus was adopted in laboratory studies. It shows that formation of calcium-inhibitor precipitate accounts for the attachment of inhibitor and brine chemistry can considerably impact the amount of inhibitor retained. This proposed strategy has the potential to be applied in a pipe flow system to control scale deposition threat.