Many industries rely on clean water for their operations or production capabilities, but having filtered water is not always good enough – it needs to have the right pH level too. Raw water must be treated with pH adjusters to maximise its qualities for various applications. These chemicals are vital for treating and purifying water.
Blue Reef Water Solutions is a leading South African water treatment company that offers speciality chemicals and outsourced services for a range of industries. So what is pH and how do these chemicals help various companies? Put simply, it is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale of 0 to 14. The pH of water can have a major impact on a variety of chemical and biological activities within the water.
A pH of 7 is said to be neutral, so acidic solutions have a pH of less than 7 and alkaline or basic solutions have a pH of greater than 7. For many industrial processes and efficient water treatment, maintaining the proper pH is essential (which doesn’t necessarily have to have a pH of 7).
Why is changing the pH of water important?
Chemicals called pH adjusters are used to change the acidity or alkalinity of water to reach the required levels. These changes are required for several reasons. Firstly, the efficiency of other water treatment procedures is impacted by pH. For example, flocculation and coagulation, which are essential for eliminating suspended particles, are strongly influenced by pH.
Secondly, the solubility and toxicity of different compounds in water are directly affected by pH. For instance, at specific pH values, heavy metals may become more soluble, more mobile, and possibly toxic. These metals can be precipitated and removed more easily by adjusting the pH.
Thirdly, pH is essential for preventing corrosion and scale formation in industrial machinery, especially when it comes to boiler water treatment. Alkaline water can encourage scale formation, which lowers efficiency and causes damage, whereas acidic water can corrode metal pipes and equipment.
Adjusting the pH in municipal water treatment reduces corrosion in distribution systems and guarantees efficient disinfection. Prior to release, industrial effluent must be pH-neutralised to meet environmental standards. Power plants treat boiler water with pH adjusters to stop scale and corrosion and ensure effective steam production.
To manage mine water, regulate the solubility of heavy metals, and reduce environmental damage, the mining sector uses pH adjusters quite extensively. pH is also important for food processing and preservation in the food and beverage sector. These are but a few instances of the many uses for which pH adjusters are essential.
The chemistry of pH modification
The type of adjuster used determines the chemical reactions that take place during pH adjustment. For example, hydrogen ions (H⁺) are released into the water by acidic pH adjusters such as sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) and hydrochloric acid (HCl), which lowers the pH. The following example can be used to illustrate how sulphuric acid dissociates in water:
H₂SO₄(aq) → 2H⁺(aq) + SO₄²⁻(aq)
The higher concentration of H⁺ ions shifts the equilibrium of the water dissociation reaction:
H₂O(l) ⇌ H⁺(aq) + OH⁻(aq)
This change lowers the pH by reducing the concentration of hydroxide ions (OH⁻).
Alkaline pH adjusters, such as calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), raise the PH by releasing hydroxide ions (OH⁻) into the water. One way to illustrate how sodium hydroxide dissolves in water is as follows:
NaOH(s) → Na⁺(aq) + OH⁻(aq)
The higher concentration of OH⁻ ions increases the pH. The calcium hydroxide reacts with water to form calcium ions and hydroxide ions:
Ca(OH)₂(s) → Ca²⁺(aq) + 2OH⁻(aq)
The particular application and the intended pH range determine which pH adjuster is best. It’s important to also consider other factors, such as price, accessibility, security, and any adverse effects. For example, volatile amines such as morpholine or cyclohexylamine are often used as pH adjusters in boiler water treatment. These amines raise pH and stop corrosion by neutralising carbonic acid produced by dissolved carbon dioxide.
Bespoke pH adjusters from Blue Reef
Blue Reef has made significant investments in research and development (R&D) to produce world-class, custom pH adjustment chemicals. Taking into account variables including water chemistry, process needs, and environmental restrictions, our team of knowledgeable chemists and engineers has created a variety of formulations suited to specific applications.
Our custom pH adjusters are made to offer precise and constant pH levels for the best possible process performance. They are also designed to improve safety and reduce the environmental impact. Our chemical formulations are also optimised to reduce treatment expenses and chemical usage.
We are more than just a chemical supply company. We collaborate closely with our clients to fully understand their unique requirements and offer customised solutions that enhance their water treatment procedures. Blue Reef is a trustworthy producer and supplier, catering to both domestic and foreign customers.
Working with Blue Reef gives our clients access to cutting-edge chemicals as well as knowledgeable technical support and direction, guaranteeing the greatest outcomes for their water treatment operations. We are dedicated to helping ensure that everyone has access to safe, clean water in the future. For more information about our water treatment chemicals, please get in touch with us today.
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Blue Reef Water Solutions is a leading water treatment solutions and engineering company that services various in food & beverage, agriculture, mining, industrial manufacturing and more. We also offer mineral separation and water treatment for industrial usage and human consumption.
We are a Level 2 B-BBEE manufacturer and supplier and fall under the ownership structure of Deneb Investments Limited. For more information on our products, contact enquiries@bluereef.co.za or phone +27 31 910 7500. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for our latest news and industry insights.
