ACTIVOL® 1803-Turbo: Inhibitor for Turbulent Flow Hydrochloric Acid Picklers

The use of acid pickling systems designed to remove hot mill scale from steel strip has evolved in recent years to high technology systems which provide more rapid descaling and less contact/process time required to optimize the removal process. The use of additives to protect base metal is more critical in these advanced technology systems. In some of these systems, a plurality of sparging ports dispense substantially laminar flows of acid solution toward the bottom surface of the strip as it passes through the pickling tank, hence increasing solution agitation and contact with base metal. Inhibitor design parameters need to be closely aligned to these conditions in order to properly function.

Activol® 1803-Turbo is the pickling inhibitor/additive designed by Harry Miller Corp. technical staff for advanced scale removal systems with high turbulence. It provides high % Inhibition (efficiency) ≥ 95% for base metal during the pickling process.

The demands of turbulent flow pickling systems require even more protection since the HCl attacks the scale under very aggressive conditions. Of paramount importance is the need for low foaming systems, so that level sensors controlling liquid levels and pumping rates function properly without interference from foam.

Foam Generation Test - HCL Pickling Bath

Activol® 1803-Turbo provides all of the parameters required for a high tech system of this nature. It prevents excessive base metal attack under the more aggressive conditions introduced with these systems. It provides the most effective rinsing to minimize surface chloride deposits on exiting steel strip, and also acid savings from reduced acid attack to base metal under these more aggressive conditions. It also provides brighter strip surfaces through minimal base metal attack. It does not impede the activity of these system’s design parameters. An example of the low foam property of Activol® 1803-Turbo is illustrated in the following photograph.

Make Activol® 1803-Turbo a part of your requirement to make your system operate at the optimal level!