Sequestration

Definition

The formation of soluble complexes with hardness ions to reduce the effective concentration of scaling ions available for lattice formation.

By binding calcium into soluble complexes, sequestering agents lower the amount of calcium free to participate in crystallization. Polyphosphates such as sodium hexametaphosphate provide sequestration in potable and light industrial systems. It is one of three combined strategies, with threshold inhibition and crystal modification, in formulated programs.

Related concepts

Hardness · Threshold Inhibition · Polyphosphates

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧪 chemistry