To understand what makes a descaler biodegradable, let’s begin by looking at the definition of a chemical descaler. Traditionally, the chemical descaler is a concentrated chemical solution that dissolves mineral deposits, or scale, buildup in equipment, like calcium carbonate, rust, and limescale. Often, these descalers employ strong acids like hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, or citric acid, which can be combined with corrosion inhibitors in an attempt to protect the metal surfaces of the equipment during cleaning and leeching of these metals into the solution. Despite these inhibitors, there can be harsh side effects from chemical descalers to operators, such as skin and eye burns. Chemical descalers are also harmful to the environment, contaminating water systems, harming aquatic life, lowering soil fertility, and increasing air pollution.
What is a biodegradable descaler?
A descaler is considered biodegradable when its primary active ingredients are formulated from natural sources that let microorganisms break down the chemical into harmless substances that will decompose naturally without causing significant environmental harm, unlike harsh chemical descalers that are difficult to degrade. With proper water flushing, biodegradable descalers can mainly be safely disposed of into the environment. However, biodegradable descaler wastes can negatively impact the environment when they cause a large amount of microbial flora, which increases the risk of communicable diseases in humans, plants, and animals.
What type of descaler does not harm the environment, machinery, or people?
The only truly safe descaler is one formulated from organic substances, like Quantum Organic Descaler®. Organic descalers utilize living organisms in their natural form that produce the same results as inorganic descalers containing hydrochloric or phosphoric acids. When released into the marine environment, it has no residual effects, thereby protecting the marine environment. Our Quantum Organic Descaler® is 100% organic, non-toxic, and is the only environmentally safe descaling product on the market to protect the environment, employees, equipment, and end-users in a wide range of applications.