Fluorescent Markers in Water Treatment

Abstract

Both phosphonate-and polymer-based scale inhibitors have a broad spectrum of applications in water treatment technologies. However, the "online" monitoring of antiscalant content in an aqueous phase is still a challenge for researchers. A possible solution is provided by the fluorescent markers added to the feeding water. These can be either an antiscalant tagged or may represent the independent species. The review summarizes both the advantages and the drawbacks of these approaches along with such markers' classification, with a special emphasis on the novel fluorescent-tagged phosphonates. Besides, some unique opportunities provided by the fluorescent-tagged antiscalants for reverse osmosis membrane mapping, scale inhibition traceability, and a scale inhibitor localization in a circulation water facility are also considered and discussed.

Performance of a novel fluorescent-tagged polyacrylate at a cooling tower test facility: a bench-scale and industrial-scale evaluation

“…Then it is transferred to the cooling tower G-40 ("Rosinka 10/20") by pump 10. The cooled water is collected in vessel 7, then returned to the heat exchangers (12). The injection of reagents is performed at collectors 7 and 8 from vessel 6 via dosing pump 9.…”

“…Along with conventional monitoring methods based on UV-VIS or potentiometry [6], the intensity of fluorescence emitted from a tracer covalently bound to a polymer, becomes a matter of choice [7][8][9][10][11]. Meanwhile, most of these reports are based on the beaker-level experiments [12]. Although the numerous water treatment companies worldwide have patented the fluorescent-tagged antiscalants and arranged the industrial production of these chemicals (Nalco Company, USA [13,14]; Ecolab USA Inc., USA [15]; Kemira Chemicals Inc., USA [16]; Rhodia Chimie, France [17]; PJSC "Fine Chemicals R&D Centre", Russia [18]; ConocoPhillips Co., USA; Advanced Analytical Technologies, Inc. [19]; Shandong Sunway Landscape Technology Co., Ltd., Peop.…”

Synthesis and applications of fluorescent-tagged scale inhibitors in water treatment. A review

“…Fluorescent-tagged scale inhibitor application is a new trend in water treatment [1,2]. In 1992 the Nalco Chemical Company first patented an implementation of a fluorescent fragment into the polymeric scale inhibitor [3], Figure 1a.…”

“…However, the reliable analytical methods of the "green" scale inhibitors monitoring in industry are missing. In this relevance the intensity of fluorescence emitted from a covalently bound to polymer tracer becomes a matter of choice [1].…”

“…Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light with a different wavelength or electromagnetic radiation. It has recently many practical and valuable applications, including mineralogy, gemology, medicine, chemical sensors (fluorescence spectroscopy), fluorescent labeling, dyes, biological detectors, environmental monitoring, cosmic-ray detection, and, most commonly, fluorescent lamps [1]. In the field of water treatment this technique may provide a unique opportunity of "on line" in situ monitoring of an antiscalant concentration.…”