Some Basics of Chemical Inhibitor Programs

During the last 60 or more years, since phosphates and other chemical inhibitors came into widespread use, the basic functional requirements of a typical water treatment program has changed little only some of the formulation additives and the chemistries involved (and some of the terminology) have changed. Today there is still a requirement for the following basic program functions  

Additives that provide these functions are often complemented by commodity components, such as sulfuric acid or chlorine, which are used to lessen the requirements for more expensive chemicals, or to amend the water characteristics, so as to optimize the water consumption and system operational efficiency. 

However, it is now common for service companies to support the primary functional components of their various cooling water formulations with additional organic inhibitors in order to provide extended and synergistic inhibitor coverage over a wide range of operating conditions. 

Additional components are also often added to minimize any product limitations identified (such as the risk of inhibitor breakdown due to chlorine). 

Some of the newer functional components included in many formulations are  

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