The American Water chemicals (AWC) anti-scalants are designed to control scale formation and keep your membrane system clean, even under the most challenging circumstances. Our solutions can help you in reducing operating costs and frequency of cleaning. All our antiscalants are NSF approved for use in potable membrane systems and are compatable with all membrane types. Many even have FDA and food contact approval.

Our antiscalants control scales such as calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, strontium sulfate, calcium fluoride, iron hydroxide, iron phosphate, silica, and colloidal foulants and can disperse common foulants such as colloidal silica and natural organic matter.

What are RO Antiscalants?

RO antiscalants are added to a reverse osmosis membrane system to prevent or slow-down mineral scale formation on the membrane surface. To reduce wastewater, most systems run to as high recovery as possible and for this reason, the right antiscalant is critical for the consistent operation of a reverse osmosis system.

Mineral scale is formed when the dissolved minerals in water are allowed to concentrate to beyond their saturation limit, where they will start to come out of solution. This is similar to water spots on a window; the sprayed water appears clear but there are dissolved minerals in each drop. As that water evaporates the dissolved minerals stay behind and show themselves as a hard water spot.

In a reverse osmosis membrane system, water is forced through the membrane but the dissolved minerals cannot pass through so they stay behind. Imagine if each of those ‘spots’ stayed and were joined by more spots to form a large area of mineral scale. The scale on the membrane surface would prevent water from passing through, so it is essential to inhibit scale for RO systems to operate continuously.

Using the wrong antiscalant chemical can allow scaling and subsequent performance loss to occur quickly. However, by injecting the correct RO antiscalant at the correct dose rate, scaling problems can be eliminated completely. Modern scale prediction computer models such as  Proton® can determine the severity of scaling potential and recommend the optimal antiscalant and dosage.

RO Antiscalants typically require very low dosage rates and can work in conjunction with other chemicals fed upstream. RO Antiscalants are also generally safe to handle and will meet all of the environmental requirements for reverse osmosis chemicals fed to a water treatment plant.

What is a super-concentrate?

“Use a pail in place of a drum”

A super-concentrate antiscalant is a highly concentrated chemical solution designed to prevent the formation of scale deposits on the surfaces of reverse osmosis (RO) and other membrane systems. Super-concentrate antiscalants offer the same level of protection as standard formulations but in a much more compact form, reducing the volume needed for storage, handling, and transportation.

These advanced formulations are particularly beneficial for those who want to reduce their chemical dosages, costs and to looking to minimize their environmental footprint. The smaller packaging and reduced shipping requirements also contribute to lower logistical costs and a more sustainable water treatment solution, making super-concentrate antiscalants an ideal choice for industries focused on efficiency and sustainability.

Product Selection Guide

AWC has a large range of antiscalants that we have access to. We have selected a range of products to meet the requirements of the Australian Market. Whether you’re a desalination plant or mine site, we have you covered.

Superconcentrated antiscalants

• Veraflux® Phosphorous-free, superconcentrated reverse osmosis antiscalant for reduced shipping cost

Sulfate Scaling-High Saturation

• AWC® A-108 Membrane antiscalant designed for inhibition of calcium carbonate scaling up to CCNI of 2.3. Tolerant to ferric coagulant carryover; Highly effective in water reuse membrane applications.
• AWC® A-120 Premium phosphate free antiscalant that exhibits excellent control of phosphate, sulphate at high saturations as well as control of carbonate and low levels of silica scales.
• Veraflux® Phosphorous-free, superconcentrated reverse osmosis antiscalant for reduced shipping cost

Silica/Silicate Scaling and Fouling-High Saturation

• AWC® A-110 Premium RO Membrane antiscalant that exhibits excellent control of phosphate scale formation even in the presence of ferric coagulant carryover. Highly effective for control of aluminium silicate scales.
• AWC® A-119 Reverse Osmosis membrane antiscalant for feedwater with high concentration of ferric and/or aluminium coagulant carryover. Highly effective for control of aluminium silicate scales.

Seawater

• Pureflux® MAR A broad spectrum antiscalant designed to inhibit inorganic scale formation in SWRO plants operating at a feed pH < 8.7
• Pureflux® SW A broad spectrum antiscalant designed to inhibit inorganic scale formation in SWRO plants operating at a feed pH < 8.7
• Pureflux® SWPF A phosphorous- free broad spectrum antiscalant designed to inhibit inorganic scale formation in SWRO plants operating without pH adjustment

Phosphorous Free-Antiscalants

• Veraflux® Phosphorous-free, superconcentrated reverse osmosis antiscalant for reduced shipping cost
• AWC® A-120 Premium phosphate free antiscalant that exhibits excellent control of phosphate, sulphate at high saturations as well as control of carbonate and low levels of silica scales.

Phosphate Scaling-High Saturation

• AWC® A-110 Premium RO Membrane antiscalant that exhibits excellent control of phosphate scale formation even in the presence of ferric coagulant carryover. Highly effective for control of aluminium silicate scales.
• AWC® A-120 Premium phosphate free antiscalant that exhibits excellent control of phosphate, sulphate at high saturations as well as control of carbonate and low levels of silica scales.

Iron Scaling / Fouling-High Saturation

• AWC® A-108 Membrane antiscalant designed for inhibition of calcium carbonate scaling up to CCNI of 2.3. Tolerant to ferric coagulant carryover; Highly effective in water reuse membrane applications.
• AWC® A-119 Reverse Osmosis membrane antiscalant for feedwater with high concentration of ferric and/or aluminium coagulant carryover. Highly effective for control of aluminium silicate scales.

General Purpose

• Veraflux® Phosphorous-free, superconcentrated reverse osmosis antiscalant for reduced shipping cost

Carbonate Scaling – High Saturation

• AWC® A-108 Membrane antiscalant designed for inhibition of calcium carbonate scaling up to CCNI of 2.3. Tolerant to ferric coagulant carryover; Highly effective in water reuse membrane applications.
• AWC® A-110 Premium RO Membrane antiscalant that exhibits excellent control of phosphate scale formation even in the presence of ferric coagulant carryover. Highly effective for control of aluminium silicate scales.

Aluminium Scaling / Fouling-High Saturation

• AWC® A-119  Reverse Osmosis membrane antiscalant for feedwater with high concentration of ferric and/or aluminium coagulant carryover. Highly effective for control of aluminium silicate scales.

Need help solving your scaling problem?

Membrane Works can help provide advice and support for optimising your chemical treatment. Contact us today to learn more.