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WHAT ARE PHOSPHATES?
According to the dictionary, Phosphate (Fos'Fate)
n. is
1. A salt or ester of phosphoric acid.
2. A fertilize containing Phosphorous compounds.
3. A carbonated beverage of water, flavoring and a small
amount of phosphoric acid. The dictionary lists phosphoric
acid, n. a clear colorless liquid used in fertilizers,
detergents and food flavorings.
There are two main types of phosphates used by NAPCO in
potable water treatment. These are orthophosphate (naturally
occurring in nature) and polyphosphate, man made and does
not occur naturally. |
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HOW DOES PHOSPHATE WORK:
In potable water there are certain things that can
happen which will require the use of phosphate.
Some of these are: |
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1. Very hard water causing scale
2. Iron or manganese in the water causing discoloration.
3. Corrosive water
4. Distribution piping is made of iron
5. System fails to meet Safe Drinking Water Act lead
and copper levels.
It is necessary to prevent red water by using a corrosion
inhibitor, It is necessary to prevent iron and manganese
from being oxidized and forming discolored water. This is
done with phosphates.
Orthophosphates are true corrosion inhibitors and will
form a film on metal piping. This film protects the metal
and reduces corrosion. Orthophosphate can be added to the
water, or it can be formed as polyphosphate degrades to
orthophosphate.
If either iron or manganese is present in sufficient
quantities they will be oxidized to form red iron oxide and
black manganese oxide. Both iron oxide and manganese oxide
products will cause discolored water.
When polyphosphate comes in contact with iron or manganese,
the metal is sequestered. The process of sequestering is
"the inhibition or prevention of normal metal ion behaviors
by combining with added materials, especially the prevention
of metallic ion precipitation from solution by formation of
a coordination complex with a polyphosphate." In every day
language, polyphosphates tie up metal and reduce oxidation
that caused discolored water.
USERS OF PHOSPHATE:
Phosphates are used in a variety of applications, that
include but are not limited to:
Textiles, water treatment for both industrial and
potable water, fertilizer, pharmaceuticals, gelatin, sugar
processing, soft drinks, metal finishing, tooth paste and
powder, cheese making, baking, detergents and laundries.
The general food industry uses phosphates for a wide
variety of applications. Several products are labeled as
Kosher. There are government regulations limiting the amount
of phosphate that can be used in various foods. The USDA
generally sets a limit of 0.5% or 5000 mg/1 for phosphate.
The baking industry uses phosphate in items ranging from
baking powder to waffle mixes. Practically every type of
meat, poultry and seafood use phosphate in the preparation
of products for the general population.
Cheeses and milk products including ice cream use
phosphate.
Potable water treatment uses phosphates to prevent
discoloration, retard scale formation, prevent corrosion and
to reduce lead and copper levels at the customers tap. There
are varying individual phosphates compounds used in potable
systems. Specialty chemical companies blend these compounds
together to produce proprietary products that will provide
multifunctional properties.
Ceertainly there are many uses of phosphate that are not
listed in this bulletin. For additional information
regarding uses of phosphate contact NAPCO Chemical Company,
Inc. |
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Napco Chemical Company, Inc. —2830 Spring
Cypress Rd, Spring, Tx - 77388 | 281-651-6800
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