An atomic force microscope study of calcium carbonate adhesion to desalination process equipment: effect of anti-scale agent Original Research Article

Whilst carbon dioxide is water soluble the system is somewhat complex and results in the presence of carbonate anions which interact with cations such as Ca2+ and Mg2+ present in seawater to form insoluble carbonates, especially at high temperatures. In multistage flash (MSF) desalination plants CO2 gas becomes less soluble in the brine as a result of the brines high temperature and high salinity which causes the pH to be in the range of 8–9. The presence of these conditions causes the release of CO2, simultaneous to the formation of scale deposits since its solubility is a function of the solution pH.