Aluminum Chlorohydrate scaling up feed lines.

[theoptimizer]

We feed ACH as our coagulant and it seems to be scaling up our feed lines. The substance is hard, brittle, flaky red substance, has anyone else had this problem?

 

[ashtree]

A couple of questions to clarify the problem.

Is this a new problem?
Have you changed chemicals or has there been a major change in water quality or source?
Is the red substance water soluble, acid soluble or neither?
Are you treating drinking water or something else?
Are you feeding the ACH with another chemical?
Can you feed the ACH directly into the dose point rather than using a carry water system?

Regards
Ashtree
"Any water can be made potable if you filter it through enough money"

 

[theoptimizer]

It has recently become a problem with clogging the lines. There is no feed water mixed with ACH from tank to injection point or any other chemical. It is pumped directly from the bulk tank with a peristaltic pump to the injection point. We changed from Ferric Sulfate to ACH about 5 years ago. The substance dissolves in water and has yellowish tint, heated sulfuric acid which creates a white milky substance but does not dissolve in room temperature acid. When the material is fresh from the line it has a clay like consistency but dried becomes porous sort of like a sand dollar. We have a limited budget so sending the substance off to a lab for analysis is not an option.

 

[ashtree]

What form are you getting your ACH?
Is it a powder , liquid or some sort of proprietary blend?

Regards
Ashtree
"Any water can be made potable if you filter it through enough money"

 

[bimr]

The chemicals should be fed using a conveying water. If you add the conveying water and maintain a fluid velocity of approximately 2-5 ft/sec, you should not have a problem. Many users convey a 5% chemical solution.