{"id":2190,"date":"2026-10-02T20:50:37","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T20:50:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hidrosolucionescanarias.com\/es_es\/?p=2190"},"modified":"2026-10-02T22:31:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T22:31:53","slug":"anti-scale-reverse-osmosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hidrosolucionescanarias.com\/en\/antiincrustante-para-osmosis-inversa\/","title":{"rendered":"Antiscalant for reverse osmosis: how to select the product and control dosing"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"hs-anti-guide\">\n<style>\n.hs-anti-guide{min-width:0;overflow-wrap:anywhere}.hs-anti-guide img{max-width:100%;height:auto}.hs-anti-guide .hs-anti-scroll{max-width:100%;overflow-x:auto;-webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch}.hs-anti-guide table{border-collapse:collapse;min-width:600px;width:100%}.hs-anti-guide th,.hs-anti-guide td{padding:14px;border:1px solid #dce6ec;text-align:left;vertical-align:top}.hs-anti-guide th{background:#f0f7f9;color:#0b2038}.hs-anti-guide .hs-anti-note{background:#f0f7f9;border-left:4px solid #84c45a;padding:24px;border-radius:8px;margin:24px 0}.hs-anti-guide .hs-anti-formula{background:#f0f7f9;padding:20px;border-radius:8px;line-height:1.7}.hs-anti-guide .hs-anti-cta{background:#0b2038;padding:28px;border-radius:12px;margin:32px 0}.hs-anti-guide .hs-anti-cta h2,.hs-anti-guide .hs-anti-cta p{color:#fff!important}.hs-anti-guide .hs-anti-cta h2{border:0!important;padding-left:0!important;margin-top:0}.hs-anti-guide .hs-anti-cta a{display:inline-block;background:#84c45a;color:#0b2038!important;padding:13px 20px;border-radius:6px;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none!important;max-width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;text-align:center;font-size:16px;line-height:1.4}@media(max-width:767px){.hs-anti-guide .hs-anti-note,.hs-anti-guide .hs-anti-cta{padding:20px}.hs-anti-guide .hs-anti-cta h2{font-size:24px!important;line-height:1.25!important}.hs-anti-guide .hs-anti-cta a{padding:12px 14px}.hs-anti-guide .hs-anti-formula{padding:16px}}\n@media(max-width:350px){#content .hs-anti-guide h1{font-size:26px!important;line-height:1.2!important}}<\/style>\n<h1>Antiscalant for reverse osmosis: how to select the product and control dosing<\/h1>\n<p style=\"font-size:1.15em;color:#1a5d82\">Selecting a reverse osmosis antiscalant requires an understanding of the feed water, the plant recovery ratio and the product formulation. For an agricultural, hotel or industrial desalination plant in the Canary Islands, the question goes beyond the price of a container: which scaling risk needs to be controlled, and how can you check that the pump delivers the intended quantity?<\/p>\n<figure style=\"margin:24px 0\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" src=\"https:\/\/hidrosolucionescanarias.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/dosificacion-quimica-cip-osmosis-industrial-canarias.png\" alt=\"Chemical dosing system alongside industrial reverse osmosis membranes\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"Antiscalant for reverse osmosis: how to select the product and control dosing\"><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"hs-anti-note\"><strong>Three points to check before adjusting the pump:<\/strong><ul><li>The dose must be validated for the product and the operating conditions.<\/li><li>The calculation must use the water flow rate through the injection point.<\/li><li>The pump setpoint and the quantity actually dosed must be checked separately.<\/li><\/ul><\/aside>\n<nav aria-label=\"Contents of the antiscalant guide\"><p><strong>In this guide:<\/strong> <a href=\"#anti-funcion\">What it does<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"#anti-seleccion\">Selection<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"#anti-calculo\">Dosing calculation<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"#anti-control\">Checks at the plant<\/a> \u00b7 <a href=\"#anti-consulta\">Information for your enquiry<\/a><\/p><\/nav>\n<h2 id=\"anti-funcion\">What an antiscalant does and which problem it addresses<\/h2>\n<p>In reverse osmosis, the retained salts become concentrated in the concentrate stream. Some can form mineral deposits on the membranes. An antiscalant helps control this risk within the operating conditions for which it has been selected.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dupont.com\/content\/dam\/dupont\/amer\/us\/en\/water-solutions\/public\/documents\/en\/RO-NF-FilmTec-Manual-45-D01504-en.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DuPont FilmTec technical manual<\/a> covers scale prevention and warns against overdosing. An antiscalant does not replace filtration, dechlorination or a treatment specifically intended to control biological fouling. Nor does it remove existing deposits through CIP cleaning.<\/p>\n<p>If the flow rate falls, differential pressure rises or conductivity changes, first identify the cause. The <a href=\"https:\/\/hidrosolucionescanarias.com\/en\/sdi-reverse-osmosis\/\">guide to SDI in reverse osmosis<\/a> addresses a different issue: the potential for fouling by particles and colloids.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"anti-seleccion\">How to select an antiscalant for a desalination plant<\/h2>\n<h3>Prepare a representative water analysis and operating data<\/h3>\n<p>To request a proposal from a manufacturer or supplier, provide an analysis of the water actually reaching the process and state when the sample was taken. Ask which parameters are needed for the assessment: conductivity or hardness alone is not enough.<\/p>\n<div class=\"hs-anti-scroll\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Information for selecting an antiscalant\" tabindex=\"0\"><table><thead><tr><th scope=\"col\">Information to provide<\/th><th scope=\"col\">What it helps assess<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody>\n<tr><td>Water source, analysis and sampling date<\/td><td>Whether the study represents the actual water, including changes in abstraction or blending.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Feed, permeate and concentrate flow rates<\/td><td>The plant water balance and the actual recovery ratio.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Temperature, pH and pretreatment<\/td><td>The conditions under which the chemical treatment programme must be assessed.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Membrane manufacturer, model and configuration<\/td><td>Compatibility and operating limits of the installed system.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td>Current product, dilution and recorded consumption<\/td><td>A baseline for comparing alternatives without confusing concentrations.<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/div>\n<h3>Request a selection supported by a technical study<\/h3>\n<p>Select the antiscalant using the water analysis and operating conditions to assess the risk of salt precipitation. Ask HidroSoluciones Canarias for a supply proposal and a review of dosing for your installation, based on a suitable formulation and a dose supported by a technical study.<\/p>\n<p>Ask for the proposal to identify the exact product, the basis of the dose, the conditions studied and the changes that would require a new assessment. For seawater abstraction, a brackish water well or a blend, do not simply copy the setpoint from another installation.<\/p>\n<h3>Check compatibility, documentation and intended water use<\/h3>\n<p>Request the technical data sheet, safety data sheet and preparation instructions. DuPont highlights possible incompatibilities between anionic antiscalants and residues of cationic polymers, so the assessment must include pretreatment. Also check that the product is suitable for the intended water use and that the project documentation is available. A general compatibility statement does not replace checks for the installed membrane model.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"anti-calculo\">How to convert a validated dose into a dosing pump flow rate<\/h2>\n<p>This calculation converts units after the dose has been defined; it neither selects the product nor determines the dose your water requires. Before using it, confirm whether the mg\/L are expressed as <strong>commercial product as supplied<\/strong> or as active substance. These two bases are not interchangeable.<\/p>\n<div class=\"hs-anti-formula\"><p style=\"margin-top:0\"><strong>If D is expressed as commercial product:<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Product consumption (g\/h) = D (mg\/L) \u00d7 Q (m\u00b3\/h)<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>Dosing flow rate (L\/h) = D \u00d7 Q \u00f7 (1000 \u00d7 \u03c1 \u00d7 w)<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><strong>Q:<\/strong> water flow rate at the dosing point, not the permeate flow rate.<\/li><li><strong>\u03c1:<\/strong> density in kg\/L of the liquid drawn into the pump.<\/li><li><strong>w:<\/strong> mass fraction of commercial product in that liquid. For undiluted product, w = 1; for a 10% dilution by mass, w = 0.10.<\/li><\/ul><p style=\"margin-bottom:0\">For a dilution, use the density of the prepared solution. Do not substitute the percentage of active substance for the percentage of commercial product in this formula.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Illustrative example, not a dosing recommendation<\/h3>\n<p>Assume a feed flow rate of <strong>20 m\u00b3\/h<\/strong> and a hypothetical dose, previously validated for this particular case, of <strong>4 mg\/L of commercial product<\/strong>. The calculated consumption is 4 \u00d7 20 = <strong>80 g\/h<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ul><li>If the product is dosed undiluted and its density is 1.20 kg\/L: 80 \u00f7 1200 = <strong>0.067 L\/h<\/strong>, approximately 67 mL\/h.<\/li><li>If the manufacturer allows a 10% dilution by mass and the prepared solution has a density of 1.02 kg\/L: 80 \u00f7 (1000 \u00d7 1.02 \u00d7 0.10) = <strong>0.784 L\/h<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n<p>The mass of commercial product delivered is the same in both cases; only the volume the pump must deliver changes. The densities and dilution are invented values used to explain the calculation. Use the documented values for your product and solution, and confirm that the calculated flow rate falls within the pump\u2019s usable operating range.<\/p>\n<p>If the dose is stated as active substance, request the documented concentration and its conversion to commercial product before calculating. Avoid ambiguous instructions such as \u201cprepare at 10%\u201d without specifying whether the percentage is by mass or by volume.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"anti-control\">How to control dosing at the plant<\/h2>\n<h3>Check the actual dosing flow rate as well as the setpoint<\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/api.grundfos.com\/literature\/Grundfosliterature-413752.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Grundfos dosing pump documentation<\/a> states that calibration must reflect the actual operating conditions and backpressure. Follow the procedure for the installed model: a number shown on the display does not prove that the expected quantity is being delivered.<\/p>\n<p>Qualified personnel should inspect the suction and injection lines, valve condition and any leaks or air ingress. Carry out checks using the equipment and protective measures specified in the manuals and safety data sheet; do not disconnect a pressurised line for an improvised measurement.<\/p>\n<h3>Link the pump setting to the water flow rate<\/h3>\n<p>If the feed flow rate changes, a fixed dosing rate in L\/h also changes the mg\/L delivered. Document how the system adapts, which signal it uses and what happens if there is no water flow or the chemical tank is empty. The DuPont manual describes interlocks between dosing and feed flow to protect the process.<\/p>\n<p>When the feed water, blending, recovery ratio or product changes, request a technical review before keeping the same setpoint.<\/p>\n<h3>Keep a log to help detect deviations<\/h3>\n<p>A simple log can include the product reference and batch, preparation date, concentration, measured dosing flow rate, operating hours, volume of water treated and tank refills. Calculate the expected consumption for the same period and compare it with the measured consumption, allowing for additions or changes of solution.<\/p>\n<p>A discrepancy is a reason to investigate; it does not by itself prove that the membranes are protected or scaled. Assess it alongside operating trends and the plant diagnosis. Permeate conductivity alone does not verify the antiscalant dose either.<\/p>\n<h2>Mistakes to avoid<\/h2>\n<ul><li><strong>Choosing solely by price per kilogram:<\/strong> compare the product, validated dose and operating conditions, as well as supply terms.<\/li><li><strong>Copying the mg\/L used at another desalination plant:<\/strong> your own water quality and operating conditions require a separate assessment.<\/li><li><strong>Confusing antiscalant with metabisulphite:<\/strong> they have different functions; see the <a href=\"https:\/\/hidrosolucionescanarias.com\/en\/bisulphite-sbs-metabisulphite-smbs-for-dechlorination-ro\/\">guide to dechlorination with bisulphite and metabisulphite<\/a>.<\/li><li><strong>Changing the product while keeping the same litres per hour:<\/strong> review the dose, density, dilution and compatibility before changing products.<\/li><li><strong>Preparing mixtures or large dilutions out of habit:<\/strong> follow the manufacturer\u2019s instructions and specified period of use. DuPont warns about the risk of microbial growth in diluted solutions.<\/li><\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"anti-consulta\">What to send for an antiscalant supply or dosing review in the Canary Islands<\/h2>\n<p>For a farm, hotel, industrial site or water operator in Tenerife, Gran Canaria or another island, provide the location, a recent water analysis, flow rates, membrane model, current product and photographs of the dosing system. State whether you need recurring supply, a change of formulation, troubleshooting or commissioning.<\/p>\n<p>HidroSoluciones Canarias offers <a href=\"https:\/\/hidrosolucionescanarias.com\/en\/spare-parts-and-maintenance-for-desalination-plant\/\">supply and maintenance for desalination plants<\/a>. Ask us about the antiscalant and dosing components suitable for your installation. The proposal should specify the technical scope and supply terms, based on the water analysis and operating data.<\/p>\n<section class=\"hs-anti-cta\" aria-label=\"Antiscalant and dosing enquiry\"><h2>Would you like to review the product or the dosing system?<\/h2><p>Send us the location, water analysis, feed flow rate, membrane details and product reference. This information helps us assess the supply or technical support your plant needs.<\/p><a href=\"https:\/\/hidrosolucionescanarias.com\/en\/contact\/\">Enquire about antiscalant supply and dosing<\/a><\/section>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>What antiscalant dose does my reverse osmosis system need?<\/h3><p>The dose validated for the product, water and process conditions. The example in this guide only converts units; it does not provide a setpoint for your installation.<\/p>\n<h3>Can I dose the product undiluted?<\/h3><p>That depends on the product instructions and the pump\u2019s operating range and compatibility. Confirm both before deciding how to prepare the system.<\/p>\n<h3>Can I increase recovery by adding more antiscalant?<\/h3><p>Do not make that decision on the basis of this adjustment alone. A change in recovery requires a review of the design and operating conditions, followed by revalidation of the chemical treatment programme.<\/p>\n<h2>Technical sources<\/h2>\n<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dupont.com\/content\/dam\/dupont\/amer\/us\/en\/water-solutions\/public\/documents\/en\/RO-NF-FilmTec-Manual-45-D01504-en.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DuPont: FilmTec technical manual, version 20, August 2026<\/a> \u2014 sections 2.3.3, 3.14.3 and 9.11.3.<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/api.grundfos.com\/literature\/Grundfosliterature-413752.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Grundfos: dosing pump instructions, calibration section<\/a>. Always consult the manual for the installed model.<\/li><\/ul>\n<p><small>Reviewed: 2 October 2026. Selection and control guide; the chemical treatment programme and interventions must be defined for each installation.<\/small><\/p>\n<\/article>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Data to select an anti-scale agent, convert a validated dose to the pump flow rate, and control its application in desalination plants and reverse osmosis plants in the Canary Islands.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1936,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2190","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hidrosolucionescanarias.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2190","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hidrosolucionescanarias.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hidrosolucionescanarias.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hidrosolucionescanarias.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hidrosolucionescanarias.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2190"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/hidrosolucionescanarias.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2190\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2198,"href":"https:\/\/hidrosolucionescanarias.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2190\/revisions\/2198"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hidrosolucionescanarias.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1936"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hidrosolucionescanarias.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2190"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hidrosolucionescanarias.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2190"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hidrosolucionescanarias.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2190"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}