Commodities such as molybdate or sodium nitrate/borate dominate the market for corrosion protection inside closed loop systems. However, that does not mean the status quo should remain the same. For example, the VpCI® chemistry of the S-69 Series from Cortec® offers a variety of advantages in terms of effectiveness, user-friendliness, and cost. These features make the S-69 Series highly attractive as a corrosion inhibiting building block for closed loop water treatments.
Challenges of Sodium Nitrate/Borate and Molybdate
Sodium nitrate/borate and molybdate are anodic corrosion inhibitors that work by passivating the metal surface against which they flow. Unfortunately, when the water slows down or stagnates, the energy needed to continue passivation diminishes and the passive layer eventually breaks down, making corrosion protection during layup a frustrating endeavor. This method also leaves unfilled areas of the closed loop (such as the headspace above the water) unprotected, even though water condensation may put these areas at risk for corrosion. Furthermore, sodium nitrate/borate will lose effectiveness in the presence of oxygen, whereas molybdate will not be effective in the absence of O2. Sodium nitrate/borate and molybdate also tend to have more restrictions on disposal.
Advantages of the S-69 Series as a Corrosion Inhibitor Building Block
Rather than being a commodity that is tossed into the water with the faint hope that it will protect the system during layup, the S-69 Series is a specialty chemistry with a wide range of benefits. Much of the advantage lies in its capacity to adsorb onto metal surfaces, forming a protective molecular layer that inhibits both anodic and cathodic reactions. This not only occurs on metals with which the treated water is in direct contact (contact-phase protection); it also occurs in air pockets above the water level (vapor-phase protection) when the molecules vaporize and migrate through the air. This action continues to work whether the water is moving or stagnant, allowing formulators to use the S-69 Series as a building block in water treatment formulations for either operational or layup conditions. It works in both the presence or absence of O2 and typically has fewer disposal restrictions.
Cost and Availability Comparisons
The current economy has seen all prices on the rise, making affordability more difficult in practically every area. Interestingly, though, the prices for sodium nitrite/borate and molybdate have seen a much steeper increase than for the S-69 Series in the last few years. Access to these raw material commodities has also become more difficult, while S-69 Series availability remains strong. The S-69 Series offers protection at a much lower dosage than nitrite/borate and molybdate, so cost comparisons must look at estimated cost of use. Since the S-69 Series is estimated to be 1.2 times the cost of nitrite and molybdate is estimated to be 1.3 times the cost of nitrite,* the S-69 Series is highly attractive considering its advantages over standard commodities at a comparable price.
Now Is the Time to Challenge the Status Quo
With traditional water treatment commodity prices rising, availability decreasing, and disposal restrictions tightening, now is the time to consider enhancing closed loop water treatments with corrosion inhibitors that challenge the status quo in practicality and effectiveness. Contact Cortec® today to discuss upgrading your current water treatment formulations.
Keywords: closed loops, corrosion inhibitors, closed loop layup, sodium nitrite corrosion inhibitors, sodium borate corrosion inhibitors, molybdate corrosion inhibitors, Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors, Cortec, water treatment, water treatment building blocks
*Based on recent comparison of MSRP for equivalent water treatments.
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