Anti-scalants can inhibit inorganic scale formation (e.g., CaCO3, CaSO4, BaSO4) especially at metal surfaces in industrial boilers, cooling towers, mining and mineral processing, and oil fields. Scale formation is inhibited by three mechanisms: 1) interference with the growth of scale crystals, 2) dispersion of particles or prevention of their agglomeration into larger adherent particles, and 3) chelation or complexation of inorganic ions. |