Ter-polymers used in cooling water treatment are generally not compatible with which type of biocide?

Ter-polymers are complex molecules often utilized in cooling water treatment due to their ability to control scale, corrosion, and biological growth. However, when it comes to compatibility with certain biocides, quaternary amines pose a significant challenge. Quaternary amines are cationic surfactants that can interact unfavorably with ter-polymers, leading to reduced effectiveness or even precipitation of the polymer.

This incompatibility arises from the cationic nature of quaternary amines, which can disrupt the charged stability of ter-polymers, causing them to aggregate or precipitate. While other biocides, such as oxidizing agents, carbamates, and thiocyanates, may interact differently with polymers or be more compatible, quaternary amines specifically disrupt the functionality and stability of ter-polymers due to their surface-active properties and electrical charge. Hence, understanding these interactions is crucial in formulating effective cooling water treatment programs.