Tracer ion comparison

Definition

A diagnostic that compares cycles computed from a soluble nonscaling tracer ion against cycles computed from a scaling-risk ion to detect mineral loss as scale.

Chloride is the standard soluble tracer and calcium the standard scaling indicator. If the two cycles agree the balance is intact, if tracer COC exceeds scaling COC then calcium is depositing as scale, and if scaling COC exceeds tracer COC then scale is dissolving back into the water. For example, a chloride COC of 5.0 against a calcium COC of 3.8 implies roughly 24 percent of incoming calcium is precipitating as scale.

Related concepts

Solubility limit · Cycles of Concentration · Conductivity controller limitation

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 📏 measurement