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RO Antiscalant for High LSI & SDI

LSI (Langlier Saturation Index): - LSI is a process of reporting the scaling or corrosive potential of RO
membrane feed water. LSI is important to RO feed water in determining whether a water is corrosive
(has a negative LSI) or will tend to scale calcium carbonate (has a positive LSI). The LSI value is calculated
by subtracting the calculated pH of saturation of calcium carbonate from the actual feed pH.
The solubility of calcium carbonate decreases with the increase of temperature, higher pH, higher
calcium concentration, and higher alkalinity levels. The LSI value can be lowered down to the desired
value by reducing pH by the injection of an acid (typically sulfuric or hydrochloric) into the RO feed
water.
A polymer-based antiscalant can also be injected to inhibit the precipitation of calcium carbonate.
Chemtex also provides a LSI calculator upon request to evaluate the LSI value of the RO feed water so
that a better antiscalant can be chosen for use in the feed water.
The indications for the LSI are based on the following values:
LSI

Indication

LSI<0

Corrosive in nature - water is under saturated with respect to calcium carbonate. Under
saturated water has a tendency to remove existing calcium carbonate protective coatings
in pipelines and equipment.

LSI=0

Water is considered to be neutral. Neither scale-forming nor corrosive in nature.

LSI>0

Scale forming in nature - water is super saturated with respect to calcium carbonate

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(CaCO3) and scale forming may occur.

SDI (Silt Density Index): - Silt Density Index (SDI) is an empirical test developed for measuring the rate of
fouling of nano filtration (NF) or RO membranes. No direct correlation exists between turbidity of a
water stream and its SDI. This is found from experiments that water with a very low turbidity (< 1 NTU)
may have a high SDI value.
Calculations: - SDI = P30 /Tt = 100*(1 - Ti/Tf) / Tt
Where, SDI= Silt Density Index
P30 = % plug gage at 30 psi feed pressure **
Tt = Total test time in minutes (usually 15 minutes, but may be less if 75% plug gage** occurs in less
than 15 minutes).
Ti = Initial time in seconds required to obtain sample.
Tf = Time required to obtain sample after 15 minutes (or less).
Note: * Time to collect 500 ml should be approximately 5 times greater than the time to collect 100 ml. If 500
ml collection time is much greater than 5X, SDI should be calculated using 100 ml collection times.
** For accurate SDI measurements, P30 should not exceed 70%. If P30 exceeds this value, re-run the
test and obtain Tf at a shorter time (T).

The SDI values give the following indications for reverse osmosis:
SDI < 1
SDI < 3
SDI 3 5
SDI > 5

Several years without colloidal fouling

Several months between cleaning
Particular fouling likely a problem, frequent cleaning
Unacceptable, additional pre-treatment is needed

Chemtexs RO Antiscalants for High LSI & SDI are specific Anti-scalants for Reverse Osmosis membrane
feed water effective in controlling corrosion as well as deposition of inorganic scales. It helps in control
of scales and corrosion and ideally suited for increasing membrane life and reduces unscheduled
shutdowns for cleaning operations.
Equivalent or even better than MAXTREAT 9001, MAXTREAT 9004, MAXTREAT 9005, MAXTREAT 9007,
MAXTREAT 9008 and MAXTREAT 9511 from THERMAX; INDION 8110, INDION 8111 and INDION 8114
from ION EXCHANGE; PERMATREAT PC 191, PERMATREAT PC 191t and PERMATREAT PC 1020 from
NALCO; DREWSPERSE range of products from CHEMBOND ASHLAND; HYPERSPERSE range of products
from GE WATER etc.

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Application: - RO, NF, UF, MF Membranes

Specification

Properties
Form & Appearance

Unit
-

Odor
Specific Gravity
pH (Neat)
Solubility in Water

pH
%

Typical Value
Pale Yellowish/Clear
Reddish Liquid
Slightly Acidic/Alkaline
1.15 0.10
7.00 5.00
100.00

Dosage and Method: - Chemtexs RO Antiscalants for High LSI & SDI are dosed directly to the RO feed
water tank or feed water line (after pretreatment) at the minimum recommended dosage of 1ppm and
maximum dosage at 20ppm, subject to inlet water quality and parameters such as Calcium hardness,
Iron content, TDS, Alkalinity, pH and Silica content etc.
In addition with that, Chemtex also offers High Silica RO Antiscalants to prevent scaling formed by RO
feed water containing high silica.
It is dosed exactly as per the dosage rate and method of MAXTREAT 9001, MAXTREAT 9004, MAXTREAT
9005, MAXTREAT 9007, MAXTREAT 9008 and MAXTREAT 9511 from THERMAX; INDION 8110, INDION
8111 and INDION 8114 from ION EXCHANGE; PERMATREAT PC 191, PERMATREAT PC 191t and
PERMATREAT PC 1020 from NALCO; DREWSPERSE range of products from CHEMBOND ASHLAND;
HYPERSPERSE range of products from GE WATER etc.
Please refer to your CSL service engineer for exact product dosage.
Key Features and Major Benefits: Effective scale inhibition
High recovery rate
Low chemical dosage
Cost Effective
Effective Iron fouling control by sequestration
Reduced frequency of membrane cleaning
Compatible with all types of membranes
Completely organic and biodegradable
Excellent threshold inhibitor of alkaline earth scales
Excellent crystal distorter
Consistent product quality
Increases membrane life
Reduces unscheduled shutdown of plants & systems for maintenance & cleaning purpose
Reduces labor cost
Saves power & energy