scope:

The test methods described in this standard are static laboratory screening tests designed to give a measure of the ability of scale inhibitors to prevent the precipitation of calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate from solution at 71°C (160°F).

These test methods are recommended only for ranking the performance of different scale inhibitors under laboratory conditions set by these methods. They are not intended to provide actual field treating rates.

Many factors, such as reaction kinetics, fluid velocity and composition, variable temperatures and pressures, scale adherence, and solids dispersion can significantly affect actual scale deposition under field conditions. Detailed consideration of these parameters is deemed to be outside the scope of this standard. However, field conditions, field brine composition, and other variables noted above should be considered at some point in scale inhibitor evaluation prior to final scale inhibitor selection for field use.

Tests should be conducted at various scale inhibitor concentrations in order to obtain a better understanding of performance under laboratory conditions set by these methods. The scale inhibitor concentration required for a field application is likely to be different from that determined under these laboratory conditions.

This standard lists the necessary apparatus, reagents, and procedures for conducting these laboratory screening tests.