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 describes 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 absence of scale inhibitor. The ability of the technique to provide kinetic information on surface scaling will be demonstrated with two common varieties of scale. A comparison is made between surface- and bulk-scaling kinetics. Finally, the potential for this technique as a method for online monitoring of scale formation downhole will be discussed.