Corrosion Control

Corrosion is broadly defined as the damage caused to a material by the environment that it is exposed to. In the case of industrial water systems we are mostly concerned with the destruction of metals by oxidation, whereby the solid metal becomes a dissolved ion. Typical oxidising species in water systems are dissolved oxygen and hydrogen ions (acidity). Corrosion in industrial water systems will produce large volumes of particulate metallic oxides that will form deposits and fouling of heat transfer surfaces, and if left uncontrolled can very rapidly lead to mechanical failure of the equipment. Chemical treatment approach will depend on system water chemistry, metallurgy and operating conditions.