CHED 307 |
| Many salts, such as calcium sulfate (gypsum) and barium sulfate (barite), are found prevalently in oil well lines and water treatment systems. These deposits are costly to oil refineries and water treatment plants, as they cause operational issues and are difficult to remove. Organic compounds have been found to inhibit the crystal growth of these salts. Previous studies by Roger Davey investigated the effect of organic molecules as inhibitors of barium sulfate crystal growth. However, few researchers have studied the growth inhibition of calcium sulfate crystals. In our studies, we are synthesizing a group of potential crystal growth inhibitors through the Mannich Reaction from simple diamines (varying only in length of the carbon chain). Here we report the synthesis, purification, and analysis of hexanebis(nitrilodimethylene)tetraphosphonic acid, octanebis(nitrilodimethylene)tetraphosphonic acid, and nonanebis(nitrilodimethylene)tetraphosphonic acid. We also report the ability of these molecules to inhibit the growth of calcium sulfate crystals in supersaturated solutions. Many factors, including solution pH, concentration, and temperature, can be altered in an effort to increase the induction time once a potential inhibitor is introduced to the system. Ideally, we hope to synthesize an inhibitor that will control growth of all the faces of calcium sulfate over the longest induction time. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session: Organic Chemistry
2:30 PM-4:30 PM, Monday, 11 September 2006 Moscone Center -- Hall D, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |