Using Synchrotron X-Ray Diffraction (SXRD) for studying the BaSO ₄ formation kinetics and the effect of inhibitors on barite formation

Synchrotron X-Ray Diffraction (SXRD) was used in-situ to investigate the formation of barium sulphate on a stainless steel surface at high temperatures. For the first time in-situ SXRD measurements of BaSO₄ formed in the presence of foreign ions (Sr²⁺, Ca²⁺ etc) are presented. The formation kinetics of BaSO₄ on the surface has been determined and the crystallographic nature of the barite was investigated. In addition the effect of Poly - phosphinocarboxylic acid (PPCA) as chemical scale inhibitor on barium sulphate was examined at two temperatures. The barite crystal faces present on the surface after the treatment with inhibitors were detected. The lattice planes recorded with the in-situ SXRD measurements revealed that the presence of Sr²⁺ in the initial formation water resulted in the co-precipitation of Sr²⁺ within the barite lattice. The in-situ SXRD measurements allowed the assessment of information on the kinetics and crystallography of the formed scale in the absence and presence of inhibitor. The crystallography of the barite revealed high sensitivity to temperature and inhibition effects. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.