Corrosion Concerns

Definition

The category of dissolved ions whose chief risk is driving corrosion of metal surfaces, including chloride, sulfate, iron, and copper.

Corrosive anions like chloride and sulfate disrupt the protective oxide layer on metal, while iron and copper signal corrosion already occurring and can foul equipment or impair inhibitors. Cooling tower chloride is typically limited to 250 to 300 mg/L and boiler chloride to about 300 mg/L for low pressure boilers. They are controlled through reverse osmosis or deionization, cycle control, inhibitor strategy, and metallurgy selection.

Related concepts

Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion · Scaling Drivers · Passive Oxide Layer

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · ⚡ electrochemistry