Inorganic scale results from chemical reactions induced by thermodynamic changes, fluid mixing or corrosion. Inorganic scale can be crystalline or amorphous depending on the source. Almost all scale requires the presence of water to form. Inorganic scale forms when the ionic balance of the host water is disturbed. Changes to water chemistry are usually the result of changing P&T conditions, blending incompatible waters or corrosion (interaction with metals).
Geochemical software is available that can predict the thermodynamic onset conditions for scale based on water chemistry or blended water compositions. These predictions depend largely on the solubility values calculated from ionic concentrations in the water and often ignore the change in chemistry from flashing the solution gas. In practical application, laboratory tests are recommended to refine and prove the models.
Geochemical software is available that can predict the thermodynamic onset conditions for scale based on water chemistry or blended water compositions. These predictions depend largely on the solubility values calculated from ionic concentrations in the water and often ignore the change in chemistry from flashing the solution gas. In practical application, laboratory tests are recommended to refine and prove the models.
