PCA | Phosphino Carboxylic Acid

Phosphino Carboxylic Acid (PCA) is an organic component with molecular formula CH₃O₂P. It is a clear and colorless liquid, with a slight odor and the pH range of 3-3.5. Phosphino Carboxylic Acid has extraordinary properties. It is completely soluble in water and improves water quality. So it is also known as a water treatment agent.

This product composed of carboxylic acid and phosphate groups. Therefore PCA has good thermal stability for these phosphate groups and at the same time, it has the characteristics of carboxylic acids.

It is classified as a dispersion agent and can be used in water treatment and boiler water system. In addition to the mentioned properties, PCA can be a good inhibitor for CaCO3, CaSO4, and BaSO4.

PCA has corrosive properties. it can cause skin burns or corrosive some metals. So safety tips should be considered when using this material.

 NOTE: it is important to know that, this product has an industrial application and should not use for treating drinking water.

Application of  PCA

It is suggested to be used in cooling water or boiler systems, oilfield, reverse osmosis (RO), ceramic industry, etc.

Ceramics:

Calcium carbonate is one of the most important materials that use in the ceramic industry. So the use of PCA in ceramic industries can disperse CaCO3. therefore it can control the CaCO3 scale and improve properties.

Boiler system:

Boiler systems produce hot water or vapors in Power plants, factories and etc.

Some impurities like CaCO3 and CaSO4 in the boiler system can cause deposition and eventually boilers to fail. Therefore use this product as dispersion, preventing sedimentation and improve the life of boilers.

In boiler systems, this product can be stable until 900 psig pressure.

Cool water system:

In a cool water system, Phosphino Carboxylic Acid retains the heat transfer property and acts as a corrosion inhibitor. By adding ZnSO4 or copolymer with this product, the inhibitory effect of PCA can improve.  In a cool water system, the probability of calcium carbonate formation increases in high pH. So in alkaline conditions by adding this product, The problem of calcium carbonate formation can be solved.

Industrial wastewater has some impurities that can damage the environment. With recycle, these impurities can help nature or reduce cost. both of HEDP and Phosphino Carboxylic Acid use in the water treatment process. But a little use of this product is equivalent to HEDP and is superior to polyacrylates.

Pulp and paper industry:

Phosphino Carboxylic Acid in pulp and paper industry acts like as phosphonates and acrylates. This product is stable in alkaline conditions and can control the scale of CaCo3 and CaSO4.

Oilfield:

Due to its specific visibility, impartiality and affordability of barium sulfate, it is widely used in the oil and gas drilling industry. This is one of the vital minerals in the oil drilling industry. By adding this product, it can affect as a scale inhibitor for BaSO4 and SrSO4.

Storage conditions:

Storage this product in a cold and dry place.

References:

shanghai chemex