Utilizing Borax in Water Treatment
Borax is most readily recognizable as a household detergent, but this chemical distributed by Bell Chem, a water treatment chemical supplier, is also a great component in water treatment. Borax, with the chemical formula of Na2B4O7 . 10H2O, may also be called sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, disodium tetraborate, or sodium tetraborate decahydrate. Borax and boric acid are related but different boron compounds. Borax is a natural mineral mined from underground deposits or collected from evaporation deposits aboveground. Once this mineral is processed, the purified chemical is boric acid. In other words, borax is a mineral salt of boric acid.
Heat-exchange devices in wastewater treatment plants are notorious for metal corrosion, which is an extremely common problem in the presence of oxygen. When borax is added in the presence of oxygen, a chemical reaction stimulates the formation of ferric oxide film. This important film forms a protective, passive layer along the interior of pipes, which repels oxygen molecules from corroding the pipes’ metals.
Borax acts as a buffer to keep acidic chemicals from destroying metals and other important surfaces within wastewater treatment plants. When borax works with other inhibitors, their combined abilities outweigh how well they work individually. Working in conjunction, two or more chemicals and borax greatly decrease the amount of damage incurred by low-pH products.
Heat transfer decreases when metals corrode, so borax is able to maintain pipe environments, which gives pipes a longer, more useful service life.
Borates act similarly to water softeners, removing most of the insoluble minerals calcium and magnesium from water samples. Customers receiving “soft” water appreciate how their dishes and clothes appear cleaner, and their skin and hair feel softer and better maintained. Household appliances that utilize water, much like the wastewater treatment plants, last longer when their supply consists of soft water rather than water containing dissolved minerals.
Borax is often used as a surfactant (a cleanser) and effectively controls slime.
Bell Chem is a water treatment chemical supplier with hundreds of products, including a fine array of water treatment chemicals, stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.