Using an electrochemical approach for monitoring kinetics of CaCO3 and BaSO4 scale formation and inhibition on metal surfaces

To date, much emphasis on scale-inhibitor evaluation and the study of scale kinetics has been carried out using static beaker tests. This paper descri bes the use of an electrochemically based technique that allows the extent of scaling on a solid surface to be determined in the presence and in the a bsence of scale inhibitor. The ability of the technique to provide kinetic information on surface scaling will be demonstrated with two common varieti es of scale. A comparison is made between surface- and bulk-scaling kinetic s. Finally, the potential for this technique as a method for online monitor ing of scale formation downhole will be discussed.