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Frequently Asked Questions
BCP® Product Chemistry
- What is DTEA II compatibility with other chemicals or materials of construction?
The products should be fed separately and not premixed with other chemicals. At use concentration they are compatible with all materials found in cooling systems and all common cooling treatment programs.
These products as neat solutions are compatible with cross-linked polyethylene, fiberglass, stainless steel and lined mild steel are the preferred material of construction for bulk tanks. As a standard Veolia company policy*, unlined steel, black iron, galvanized steel, and copper are NOT recommended in any part of the chemical feed system. Stainless steel or PVC are the best choices for the pump heads and feed lines.
*AMSA, Inc., the manufacturer, uses mild steel, brass, Tygon tubing and various plastics in their production systems.
- What is the general material compatibility of DTEA II?
DTEA II is compatible with all water treatment system materials of constructions and treatment programs at use concentrations.
The standard 15% and 30% products are compatible with most tubing and pumping systems.
It should be noted that the corrosion rates for metals is very low for the concentrated form.
- Does DTEA II affect system pH at typical use concentrations?
Addition of DTEA II liquid or solid formulated products has no effect on the pH of the system when added at normal use levels.
- Is DTEA II’s effectiveness affected by pH?
In general, the pH of a system does not affect the performance of DTEA II as a cleaner or dispersant. In some applications there may be slightly better activity at higher pHs 9.0 – 9.5 than at neutral pH of 7.0.
- How is liquid DTEA II applied and controlled? (Maintenance treatment)
Liquid DTEA II can be shot fed or pumped intermittently and dosed continuously to achieve a calculated residual. The best and most economical dosage and approach is based upon the system volume, retention time, and thorough understanding of the system and water chemistry.
- Typical maintenance dose levels of DTEA II 15% are 25 to 50 ppm
- Typical maintenance dose levels of DTEA II 15% are 12.5 to 25 ppm
ATP analysis can be used to determine fouling level before and after application to determine relative cleanliness of a system.
To learn more about maintenance programs using BCP Products, click here.
- How is solid slow release form of DTEA II applied and controlled?
The dry products (DTEA II SR Tablet and DTEA II SR Plus SC Tablet) can be placed in the tower or convenient feeder systems and replaced after they are slowly dissolved and consumed, based upon system analysis and needs.
Typical dose levels are 1 tablet per 300 – 500 gallon system.
Tablets work over a 2 to 4 week time frame.
ATP analysis can be used to determine fouling level before and after application to determine relative cleanliness of a system.
BCP® Chemistry Properties
- What are the differences between the DTEA II® Slow Release products?
DTEA II® SR Plus SC slow release tablets are made for maintaining a clean system, plus they provide some added scale & corrosion protection.
DTEA II® SR slow release tablets provide a more rapid release of a higher concentration of DTEA II®.
For a more detailed comparision, check out this DTEA II® Slow Release Product Comparison Table.
- What are the functions of BCP products?
DTEA II is a multifunctional material. It works effectively as a dispersant and cleaner in industrial water systems. It also provides corrosion protection for yellow metals and improved mild steel corrosion inhibition when used in combination with phosphonate chemistry.
Basics of Biofilm & Bioflim Control Programs (BCP®)
- What is biofilm?
Simple answer and then link to Biofilm Basics page.
- What is a Biofilm Control Program (BCP®)?
BCP® stands for Biofilm Control Program … description of AMSA BCPs and their purpose.
- What type of an impact can biofilm have on a system?
Summary of problems caused by biofilm – then links to each section with more details:
- Biofilm’s Contribution to Scaling
- Biofilm’s Contribution to Corrosion
- Negative Effects of Biofilm on Heat Exchange
- Operational Issues Caused by Microbiological Fouling
Product Analysis
- How do I monitor the effectiveness of the BCP products?
The ATP method can be used to determine the response of the system to the treatment level of DTEA II and thus provides an effective general monitor of treatment efficacy. As DTEA II treatment releases organic material from surfaces, the organisms in that matrix are released into solution and the bulk water ATP levels increase.
In a clean-up mode of DTEA II utilization, turbidity measurements (before, during and after treatment) have also been useful. Turbidity of the bulk water increases due to the cleaning action of DTEA II as surface deposits are released into the bulk water.
During maintenance mode treatment, bulk water ATP and turbidity should remain low. Periiodic doses of higher levels of DTEA II can be used to check/ ensure deposiite are not building up again.
Product Efficacy
- How do you know the DTEA II® slow release tablets are working?
DTEA II SR – These tablets keep surfaces clean of organic deposits and inhibit yellow metal corrosion. Thus, effectiveness can be monitored by overall system operating/performance parameters (heat transfer, flow rates, pressure), fouling index (ATP),
and corrosion coupons/monitors.DTEA II SR Plus SC – In addition to the methods described above for DTEA II SR tablets, monitoring the calcium carbonate scaling index is useful.
DTEA II slow release tablet used with a biocide – In addition to the methods above, test for population of living microbes with dipslides or similar methods.
In simple terms, effectiveness can be monitored visually by the absence of biological deposits and scale deposits on surfaces, and when used with a biocide, low bacterial counts as measured by dipslides. Since this product is intended for maintaining a clean system rather than clean-up of a fouled sytem, deposit release and associated ATP increase is not generally expected, although this might be observed when first used. Corrosion protection may be monitored with coupons or corrosion monitors (LPR) and water analysis for metal corrosion products.
Please also refer to our “Clean it Up and Keep it Clean” page which describes evidence of biofouling and some diagnostic tests.
- How and where does BCP® chemistry work?
DTEA II is multifunctional as it works as a biofouling and organic fouling penetrant, dispersant, and cleaner. It will release biofilm from cooling towers and system surfaces, exposing the organisms in the biofilm to promote more efficient killing action by biocides.
DTEA II has filming properties and is known to provide copper corrosion inhibition. When used with other additives, DTEA II improves carbon steel corrosion rates.
DTEA II is commonly applied to open and closed cooling water systems and certain process waters operating at pHs from 6 to 9.5. Addition of DTEA II product does not affect the system pH. Performance of DTEA II is not affected by hardness, ammonia, temperature, H2S or high strength NaCl brines.
Product Formulation
- Can DTEA II be formulated?
DTEA II is very stable to heat, high pH, and is not reactive with water, hydrogen sulfide, or ammonia.
A key advantage is that DTEA II is not an oxidizer.
DTEA II is not a reactive or an unstable molecule; hence it does not need stabilizers for product shelf life, formulation stability, or to protect it under application conditions.
As with any chemical, it needs to be evaluated at use concentrations in any formulation with other chemical additions for compatibility and stability.
- Can BCP chemistry be formulated into an all in one product with added corrosion and scale inhibitors?
Yes, Several formulations have been developed in which DTEA II has been added to a typical corrosion and scale water treatment formulation. Typically formulating at an acidic pH and adding DTEA II at the end of the formulation process provides a stable effective formulation. In some cases DTEA II has been used to replace typical levels of azoles to achieve yellow metal corrosion protection.
Regulatory Information
- What are some handling concerns and toxicity information?
This product is considered not hazardous under 29 CFR 1910.1200, but all chemicals should be handled with care. Wear eye protection and avoid direct contact with skin. Rinse with water in the event of eye or skin contact. Consult DTEA II’s MSDS for more details.
The LC50 for fathead minnow is 3.80 ppm of the active material. It is all organic, water soluble, environmentally bio-degradable, and is much less toxic than biocides commonly applied to cooling towers such as quaternary ammonium compounds. Cooling tower blow down being treated with DTEA II commonly goes to biological waste treatment plants without adversely affecting the operation.
The active ingredient is considered “inherently biodegradable” according to OECD protocols and degraded to 45% in 28 day Zahn Wellens Inherent Biodegradability (OECD 302B) test.
Ordering Information
- Containers Available for Ordering
Container sizes available:
- 55 gallon drums
- 30 gallon drums
- 15 gallon drums
- 5 gallon pails
- Totes
- Shipping Considerations
Some considerations to be made for shipping
- Do you ship overseas?
Yes, we ship all over the world. Please note that additional shipping costs will be applied based on your delivery location.
- What are my payment options?
We accept all the popular payment methods such as PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Amazon Pay, American Express and Google Pay.
- How to track my order?
You will receive an email from us after you have placed the order. You’ll get confirmation in your email when you purchase and we’ll let you know when your order is on the move. You will be able to track your order through your preferred shipping partner.
