Geochemical scaling potential simulations of natural organic matter complexation with metal ions in cooling water at Eskom power generation plants in South Africa

Abstract

Eskom, a power-generating company in South Africa, draws water for cooling turbines mainly from surface water systems. /T_his type of water has high levels of dissolved solids, mainly organic and inorganic compounds (Pather, 2004). /T_he interaction of the various chemical components may produce ions, compounds in solid or liquid phases and complexes. Comprehensive studies have shown that when such water goes through industrial pipes, solid mineral phases, known as scale, form (Zhang et al., 2013, Rosenberg et al., 2012), which compromises water /f_low efficiency. One challenge, therefore, is the fact that there are dynamic chemical interactions of the water components that lead to changing phases because of changing physico-chemical parameters (such as conductivity, alkalinity and pH) (Brunner, 2014). Current research has shown that natural organic matter (NOM) in/f_luences chemical interactions of certain species in natural water. Studies on NOM range from its characterization and fractionation to complexing capacity and degradation.

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