There is a severe global sulfuric acid shortage, driven by several factors including high phosphate fertilizer demand and H2SO4 plant outages across the globe. Prices in some areas have more than doubled. Supply is dwindling. GE Water & Process Technologies can help those who use sulfuric acid in their cooling towers with the following programs:
Conversion to AEC Alkaline Cooling Technology. GE's AEC alkaline technology allows you to operate at higher calcium carbonate supersaturation levels, in many cases up to an LSI of +2.85 under standard industrial conditions of lower flow velocities and higher heat loads, and an LSI of +3.00 in conditions of lower stress, such as reduced heat load and higher flow velocities.
Are you under acid allocation? It may be possible to eliminate acid from your operations completely by operating at a higher pH and reducing cycles of concentration (if necessary). Contact GE for details on how to make this program work for you.
Putting Reverse Osmosis (RO) in front of your demineralizer or softener. Doing so can reduce or even eliminate both acid and caustic costs, improve water quality, reduce wastewater generation, and eliminate chemical handling hazards. Contact GE to calculate the cost-effectiveness of replacing your primary cation/anion demineralizers with RO and/or EDI.
Even in the best of times, sulfuric acid is a potential hazard in your plant. With the recent sulfuric acid shortage and the spike in price, now might be a good time to consider making a change.
