Magnesium Scale Behavior

Definition

The deposit behavior of magnesium, which can form insoluble deposits, magnesium silicate, and magnesium hydroxide in cooling and boiler systems.

Combined with sufficient silica, magnesium can form magnesium silicate in cooling systems at relatively low concentrations. In boilers, magnesium silicate and magnesium hydroxide form but do not generally deposit on surfaces, and maintaining hydroxide alkalinity keeps magnesium precipitating as fluid sludge rather than sticky scale. It is controlled through softening, deionization, inhibitors, and boiler alkalinity strategy.

Related concepts

Scaling Drivers · Silica Polymerization · Alkalinity and the Carbonate System

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