Technical Data Sheet

ACUMER™ 4161 Phosphinopolycarboxylic Acid

Scale Inhibitor and Dispersant

Description ACUMER™ 4161 (PCA) polymer combines features of both phosphonates and
polyacrylates to deliver a unique balance of threshold inhibition and dispersancy. This
product is resistant to chlorine and compatible with most microbiological control agents.

Benefits of Application Benefits

ACUMER™ 4161 Boiler Water • Effectively disperses boiler sludge components.
(PCA) Polymer • Excellent hydrothermal stability.
• Compatible with commonly used boiler additives.
Cooling Water • Good scale control agent for calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate.
• Effectively disperses particulate matter such as silt and clay.
• Eliminates the need for phosphonates and acrylates in many formulations.
• Effective in alkaline systems and under severe service conditions.
Pulp and Paper • Good scale control agent for calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate.
• Performance equal to or better than many phosphonates and acrylates.
• Effective in both acid and alkaline papermaking systems.

U.S. Food and Regulation Title

Drug 21 CFR 173.310 Boiler Water Additives
Administration 21 CFR 176.170 Components of Paper and Paperboard in Contact with Aqueous and
(FDA) Clearances Fatty Foods(1,2)
21 CFR 176.180 Components of Paper and Paperboard in Contact with Dry Food

1 Only as the sodium salt.

2 Only as: (a) a pigment dispersant in coatings at a level not to exceed 0.25% by weight of pigment.
(b) a thickening agent for natural rubber latex coatings, provided it is used at a level not to
exceed 2% by weight of total coating solids.

Typical Properties ACUMER™ 4161 (PCA) is supplied as a partially neutralized aqueous solution. Typical
physical properties are listed below.
(These properties are typical but do not constitute specifications)
Property Typical Values
Appearance Clear to slightly hazy liquid
Total Solids, % 51
Active Solids, % 47
pH 3.3
Molecular Weight1 3600
Specific Gravity 1.22
Density, lb/gal @ 25°C 10.2
Brookfield Viscosity (mPa.s/cps @ 25°C) 500-2000
1Measured by aqueous GPC and reported as acid form.

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Mechanism of ACUMER™ 4161 (PCA) polymer can be used to inhibit scale buildup on surfaces through at
Action least three mechanisms:

• Solubility enhancement or threshold effect, which reduces precipitation of low solubility

inorganic salts.
• Crystal modification, which deforms the growing organic salt crystals to give small,
irregular, readily fractured crystals that do not adhere well to surfaces.
• Dispersing activity, which prevents precipitated crystals or other inorganic particles from
agglomerating and depositing on surfaces.

Low molecular weight polymers are widely used to inhibit scaling in industrial water
treatment. The activity of ACUMER 4161 polymer in boiler water, cooling water and pulp
and paper applications is illustrated in the following applications data.

Applications Boiler Water

Sludge Dispersancy

Laboratory testing of ACUMER™ 4161 (PCA) polymer has demonstrated excellent control
of boiler sludge, with effective performance compared to traditional chemistries using
polyacrylates, phosphonates and competitive products utilizing phosphinopolycarboxylic
acids. Figure 1 shows the performance of ACUMER 4161 in boiler sludge dispersancy tests.

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 Iron Transport

ACUMER 4161 (PCA) polymer makes it possible to easily transport iron with calcium,
phosphate and silicate containing sludges for removal during blowdown. Figure 2 (opposite)
demonstrates the ability of ACUMER 4161 to transport iron.

High-Temperature Stability

ACUMER 4161 (PCA) polymer is stable at high pressures and temperatures typical of those
found in industrial boilers, up to at least 900 psig. Figure 3 (below) contains a profile of the
hydrothermal stability of ACUMER 4161.

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 Cooling Water

Calcium Carbonate Inhibition

Under high pH and alkalinity conditions, calcium carbonate scale formation is a potential
problem that can be prevented by threshold inhibition. Figure 4 (below) shows that at 7 ppm
polymer solids the performance of ACUMER 4161 (PCA) polymer is equivalent to HEDP (1-
hydroxy-ethylidene-1, 1-diphosphonic acid) and a competive PCA, and more effective than
polyacrylic acid chemistries.

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 Dispersing Activity

Industrial cooling water contains particulate matter such as silt, clays and calcium-based
precipitates. The particles can deposit on heat transfer surfaces and produce excessive
sediment in regions of low water velocity.

Kaolin clay was used to represent particles commonly found in many waters. At low polymer
levels (6 ppm) ACUMER 4161 (PCA) polymer has kaolin clay dispersancy equivalent to a
competitive PCA and polyacrylic acid polymers. Figure 5 demonstrates the performance of
ACUMER 4161 dispersant.

Pulp and Paper

Calcium Sulfate Inhibition

ACUMER 4161 (PCA) polymer effectively inhibits calcium sulfate precipitation. Figure 6
shows performance compared to polyacrylic acids, a competitive PCA, and a phosphonate
(DETPMP–diethylenetriamine pentamethylene phosphonate).

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General Product ACUMER™ 4161 (PCA) polymer can develop a slightly hazy appearance after long-term
Handling cold storage. This change in appearance is due to intramolecular hydrogen bonding and
does not impair performance. Hazy product can be cleared up by warming it to 60°C or by
diluting the polymer to <30% solids. Freezing or long-term cold storage of ACUMER
polymers can cause separation of the components. Although product performance is not
impaired, it is recommended that ACUMER polymers not be frozen in order to avoid the
need to remix the product.

ISO 9002 All ACUMER™ products are produced in an ISO 9002-certified manufacturing facility.
Certification

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Handling Before using this product, consult the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)/Safety Data
Precautions Sheet (SDS) for details on product hazards, recommended handling precautions and
product storage.

Storage Store products in tightly closed original containers at temperatures recommended on the
product label.

Disposal Dispose in accordance with all local, state (provincial) and federal regulations. Empty
Considerations containers may contain hazardous residues. This material and its container must be
disposed in a safe and legal manner.

It is the user's responsibility to verify that treatment and disposal procedures comply with
local, state (provincial) and federal regulations. Contact your Dow Technical Representative
for more information.

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individual involved with Dow products - from the initial concept and research, to
manufacture, use, sale, disposal, and recycle of each product.

Customer Notice Dow strongly encourages its customers to review both their manufacturing processes and
their applications of Dow products from the standpoint of human health and environmental
quality to ensure that Dow products are not used in ways for which they are not intended or
tested. Dow personnel are available to answer your questions and to provide reasonable
technical support. Dow product literature, including safety data sheets, should be consulted
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