Scale formation in sea water distillation plants

Abstract

It has been shown that techniques of Debye-Scherrer X-ray crystallography, chemical analysis, and metallographic preparation of sections can be used to examine in detail the physical and chemical constitution of the phases present in scales deposited from sea water. Inferences drawn from these examinations indicate that the nature of the physicochemical bond which causes scale to adhere mechanically to heat transfer surfaces is of importance. Experiments in the laboratory are described. The data obtained are discussed in terms of their consequences to the plant designer.