ASPECTS OF CORROSION AND ITS INHIBITION IN COOLING WATERS

In all the cases of cooling water systems, at the metal / water interface appear frequently corrosion processes which lead to deposition of corrosion products, like scales. Due to these scales formation from the decomposition of bicarbonates and in the same time, of the corrosion products on the heat exchange surfaces, the heat exchange becomes more difficuut, fact that disturbs the normal function of industrial installation. This paper presents some attempts of analyzing the corrosion phenomena which occur in cooling water systems and relates to the protection of metallic surfaces from corrosion using an ecologically, non-toxic inhibitor. Calcium gluconate (GCa), ecologically acceptable compound, has been used as corrosion inhibitor. A good 87.81 % inhibition efficiency has been obtained with 2000 ppm GCa. Electrochemical data and corrosion kinetic parameters for OL37 steel in cooling water systems have been obtained.