Struvite Sample Testing Example

Struvite Removal offers free Struvite Sample Testing to show our product is effective and to what extent. 

We do the lab tests, take pictures and offer our best recommendations for application thereafter.

No Struvite Sample is exactly alike, and each reacts with our products differently, we help get an idea of rate, and to the extent the product will work but determining the ratio of Struvite broken down as well as the pH of the solution.

For our test, we will fill a beaker with 100% solution, if necessary can check other solutions, place the struvite samples in the beaker as well as a magnetic stir bar to resemble a recirculation. Every 30 minutes check the weight of the dried sample and the pH of the solution. Once dissolved, we test to find the spent solution by adding more and more sample until it's spent. This helps to find a pH the client should look for to make sure the product is done working, and find ratios to get an idea of how much Struvite it can break down.

This test shows the full extent of the sample being broken down in our product, however in many applications the product needs to break up the 1:1:1 ratio of MAP to break down the solids, and the structure falls apart like a house of cards, the solids can then be caught with less product being needed.

An example of the test we offer free:

50mL of 100% Solution Struvite Remover

Struvite Initial Sample Weight: 3.81grams

Set up as a recirculation using a magnetic stirrer and placing the Struvite on the opposite side to better agitate the struvite.

Time	Weight of Struvite (grams)	pH of Product
0	3.81	0.5
30 minutes	Dissolved/In Solution	0.5

Continued test to see amount dissolved in product

Time	Weight of Struvite (grams)	pH of Product
	Added 7.75 grams, totaling  11.56 grams
1.5 hours	2.8 grams remaining	2
2 hours	1.66 grams remaining	2.5
2.5 hours	1.34 grams remaining	2.5
	Added 2.84 grams, totaling 14.4 grams
Overnight	2.1 grams remaining 12.3 grams dissolved/In Solution	4

From this test can see the Struvite was easily broken down in a very weak recirculation.

The total amount of Struvite that was dissolved/broken down was 12.3 grams with two pieces adding up to 2.1 grams remaining the next day. This results in our product being effective to a pH of 4 on your struvite and approximately 50 grams of our product to dissolve and break down 12.3 grams. About 4 parts product to 1 part of your Struvite.

The pictures below are from the same test, can see the initial struvite sample and solution, second picture is of the test taking place, and lastly the end result of the sample completely broken down.

We will accept any samples of scale and do this testing free of charge, and share all results and our thoughts.

Please call us at 310-715-3070 or email at info@struviteremoval.com

What is Struvite?

What is Struvite Video?

Struvite Remover, Foam Descaler Application

Struvite Remover Foam Application

Struvite Removal now offers a foaming descaler where a liquid descaler won't match up.

When applied with a foaming solution:

• Easily apply to vertical surfaces, screens, outside of centrifuges, fin fans, food processing, etc.

• Easy to use and clean large areas quickly

• Foam adds increased efficiency and uses less product as compared to sprays or brush on products

• Reduced fumes and exposure compared to hydrochloric acid

• Wash away safely with water

Watch the video below, or refer to our youtube channel with this link:

Struvite Remover Foaming Application

Struvite Remover and Industrial Descaler Benefits

Struvite Remover is a low pH inorganic/organic salt solution that performs like an acid. This formulation replaces such acids as hydrochloric, sulfamic, phosphoric, hydroxyacetic, oxalic, citric, formic, and glycolic while offering significant performance advantages including:

 Biodegradable

 Less-Hazardous

 Non-corrosive (to skin and metal per DOT/OSHA/EPA test protocol)

 Non-Fuming

 Outstanding safety, handling, and performance properties vs. traditional acids

 VOC Less than 15 grams per liter

Struvite Remover has been used in many Wastewater Treatment Plant applications to remove struvite blocked pipes, and can be used for nearly any scale removal including cooling towers.

Struvite Remover is a commercial alternative for industrial users that is biodegradable, less hazardous, non-corrosive and safe for personnel.

Calculating Struvite Remover: Amount Needed to Clean Pipes

Example of chemical requirement for cleaning 1000 ft of a 6”dia pipe with 1” thickness of struvite.

General Information:

1) 6 inch diameter pipe= 0.196 ft³/linear ft

2) 4 inch diameter pipe= 0.126 ft³/linear ft

3) 1 cubic ft of struvite weigh= 106.08 lbs

4) To completely dissolve 1 pound of struvite, you will need 2.5 lbs to 3.0 lbs of Struvite Remover

5) 1 gal of Struvite Remover weighs 8.63 lbs/gal

0.196 ft³ – 0.126 ft³=0.07 ft³ of struvite per linear foot of a pipe 6”dia with 1” thickness

0.07 ft³/linear ft x 106.08 lbs/ft³= 7.43 lbs of struvite per linear ft

7.43 lbs of struvite/linear ft x 3 lbs of Struvite Remover/lb of struvite= 22.29 lbs per linear ft.

22.29 lbs/linear ft x 1 gal/8.63 lbs= 2.58 gals/linear ft

Struvite Dispersant Testing Procedure

For each new perspective client we send out this procedure and samples free of charge charge for your own testing as every operation will get different results and need to optimize the product according to their needs.

Use this procedure to optimize our product and use for struvite control and struvite prevention.

Procedure to form struvite and determine when it began forming

1. 1)  Using filtered centrate from organic material use 900mL filled beakers.
   
2. 2)  Obtain MgCl solution to form struvite.
   
3. 3)  (1/20)/900 x 1,000,000 = PPM (parts per million)
   *(1/20) is one drop of 1mL pipette, 20 drops in a mL
   
4. 4)  Every drop of MgCl, stir on high for 1 minute, then let sit for 3 minutes, then
   repeat.
   
5. 5)  A total of 7 drops were used to ensure struvite crystals would begin to form
   in the solution. Using light can positively identify this.
   

Procedure used to determine dosage and application

1. 1)  Using filtered centrate from organic material use 900mL filled beakers.
   
2. 2)  First needed to determine mL of product used.
   
3. 3)  Started with a 30/60/90 ppm dosage.
   Ppm/ SG x L = μl (μl= microliter)
   
4. 4)  X/(1.03)x0.9=μl
   
5. 5)  30ppm = 26.21 μl, 60ppm = 52.43 μl, 90ppm = 78.64 μl
   
6. 6)  With 4 stirrers, one control, one each of 30/60/90 dosage fill the beakers of
   centrate with the amounts of Struvite Dispersant.
   
7. 7)  Stir for one minute on high to make sure properly mixed as to determine
   which dosage will prevent the formation of struvite.
   
8. 8)  Once Struvite Dispersant is mixed, continue to add drops of MgCl (up to 7) to then
   encourage the formation of struvite, stirring on high for one minute, then
   letting it sit for 2 minutes.
   
9. 9)  After final drop, allow to sit for 10 minutes or more to let struvite settle at
   the bottom to compare amounts left in the beakers.
   

Conclusions:

1. 1)  With 7 drops of MgCl we were able to get struvite crystals to form in the centrate.
   
2. 2)  With increased PPM, we progressively saw less struvite in the centrate with approximately 70%à50%à30% through what was noticed visually.
   
3. 3)  In the 90 ppm solution could not see struvite flowing during the stirring.
   
4. 4)  Smaller particles were also in the 90 ppm solution, reduces potential and
   decreases size if it does form.
   
5. 5)  For further testing, need way to weigh amount of struvite left within the
   beakers.
   
6. 6)  Struvite Dispersant will keep the smaller, remaining Struvite particles in solution