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WHAT IS A PHOSPHATE?

Phosphate is a salt, much like sulfate or carbonate, which is bonded to metals, such as sodium or potassium, to form compounds used in many applications. Such applications include water treatment, food additives, dentifrices, animal feeds, pharmaceuticals, fire retardants, metal finishing, paints and coatings, cleaners, and many others.

Phosphate's structure is PO4, a phosphorus atom surrounded by 4 oxygen atoms. This PO4 anion has a strong affinity for metals. At Carus Chemical Company, we use phosphates for water treatment due to this affinity for metals. Depending on the application required, we can select the correct phosphate to bond with metals to achieve the desired result.

Phosphates in water treatment are usually implemented for two reasons: sequestering and corrosion control.

Sequestering, in water treatment, takes place when a phosphate molecule bonds with a metal atom. Iron, for instance, will readily bond with phosphate. Sequestering is a process where the bonding of phosphates to metals prevents further chemical reaction with the metal. In the case of iron, which can become rusty in color in the presence of chlorine, sequestering prevents any further reaction with the iron atom, and this results in clear water.

Corrosion control, in water treatment, is the formation of a very thin phosphate layer over metal surfaces. The affinity that phosphates have for metals lends itself nicely to corrosion control. A low concentration of phosphate placed into the water system will form a phosphate coating on metal surfaces, and this prevents the water from corroding the metal. Many water distribution systems in the US use phosphates for corrosion control.

Phosphates are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and are considered to be non-hazardous. In fact, life itself would not be possible without phosphate. Almost every food item produced has some form of phosphate in it as an ingredient, or phosphates were used in the processing of that food. Phosphates are used in processing and cleaning of almost all meat and poultry products. Phosphate, in the form of phosphoric acid, is the ingredient in cola that gives the cola its taste.

Phosphates Product Selection Guide

The following guide for water quality and corresponding phosphate treatment technologies is a generalized approach to product selection. Carus Corporation has one of the most sophisticated laboratories in the industry and is uniquely qualified to provide our customers with complete water treatment programs to fit their specific water quality needs. Carus services include professional consultation, on-site inspection, water analysis, product selection, dosage rates, and technical support from Carus' water quality advisors. More...

   

 

 

   

 Product

Corrosion Inhibition

  Lead & Copper Control

Sequestration
(Fe/Mn, Color)

Scale Reduction (Calcium deposit control)

AQUA MAG®, CARUS™ Blended Phosphates

Good to Excellent

  Good to Excellent

Good to Excellent

  Good to Excellent

CARUS™Zinc Ortho/Polyphosphates

  Good

  Good

  Good

  Good

CARUS™ Zinc Orthophosphates

Excellent

Good

Minimal

Minimal

CARUS™DP Orthophosphates

  Good

Good

Minimal

Minimal

For information on specific uses of phosphates, feel free to contact Carus Chemical Company.



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