HEDP•K2 Main Applications & Functions

HEDP•K2 is a cornerstone chemical in industrial water treatment and other fields due to its dual functionality.

Primary Function: Scale Inhibition

It is exceptionally effective at preventing the formation of scale from salts of calcium, barium, magnesium, and other metals.

• Mechanism: It has a strong “threshold effect,” meaning very low doses (e.g., 1-10 mg/L) can effectively inhibit scale formation by adsorbing onto the growing crystal surfaces, distorting their structure and preventing them from adhering to surfaces.

• Common Scales it Controls:

  • Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃) – the most common scale in water systems.

  • Calcium Sulfate (CaSO₄)

  • Barium Sulfate (BaSO₄)

  • Calcium Phosphate (Ca₃(PO₄)₂)

Secondary Function: Corrosion Inhibition

HEDP.K2 acts as a mild corrosion inhibitor, primarily for carbon steel.

• Mechanism: It forms a protective film on metal surfaces, acting as an “anodic inhibitor” to slow down the corrosion reaction.

Major Application Areas:

1. Industrial Water Treatment:

   • Cooling Water Systems: Used in open recirculating cooling towers to prevent scale on heat exchanger surfaces, which maintains efficiency and reduces downtime.

   • Boiler Water Systems: Prevents scale formation to improve heat transfer and prevent overheating of boiler tubes.

   • Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems: A critical antiscalant in RO membranes to prevent scaling and extend membrane life.

2. Detergents and Cleaning Formulations:

   • Acts as a builder and chelating agent, sequestering metal ions (like calcium and magnesium) in hard water. This prevents them from interfering with surfactants, thereby improving cleaning efficiency and preventing soap scum.

3. Personal Care Products:

   • Used in some shampoos, liquid soaps, and other cosmetic products as a chelating agent to stabilize the formula, prevent discoloration, and enhance the effectiveness of preservatives.

4. Textile & Pulp/Paper Industries:

   • Used to stabilize hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) during bleaching processes, allowing it to work effectively at higher temperatures and pH levels without decomposing prematurely.

5. Oilfield Industry:

   • Used in squeeze treatments to prevent scale formation in the wellbore and near-well formations.