Synthesis and Application of a Phosphorous-Free and Non-Nitrogen Polymer as an Environmentally Friendly Scale Inhibition and Dispersion Agent in Simulated Cooling Water Systems

[Image: see text] A novel phosphorus-free and non-nitrogen scale inhibition and dispersion agent was synthesized from epoxysuccinic acid (ESA), itaconic acid (IA), and sodium methyl propylene sulfonate (SMAS). It was characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and elemental analysis, and its molecular weight and distribution were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Static experimental methods were used to evaluate the scale inhibition against CaCO(3), Ca(3)(PO(4))(2), and CaSO(4). The dispersion ability was evaluated by measuring the dispersive property of iron oxide. By observing the morphology of the CaCO(3) scale, the scale inhibition mechanism was discussed. The results showed that when the ratio of raw materials (ESA/IA/SMAS) was 10:10:5, the scale inhibition rate of CaCO(3) and CaSO(4) reached 100% with the dosages of 20 and 10 mg/L, respectively. In addition, the scale inhibition rate against Ca(3)(PO(4))(2) was up to 96.64% with a dosage of 100 mg/L. The property of dispersing iron oxide exhibited the best results with 50 mg/L of the agent. On the 21st day, the biodegradation rate reached 63.33%. This polymer was an environmentally friendly antiscale and dispersant with good scale inhibition and biodegradability.