| abstract |
In a method for inhibiting scale formation, a random copolymer which consists essentially of a copolymer of (i) acrylic acid or methacrylic acid (together "(meth)acrylic"), (ii) acrylamide or methacrylamide (together "(meth)acrylamide"), and (iii) an alkoxyalkyl (meth)acrylate ester ("AAE") present in specified relative proportions, is soluble in water, and is surprisingly effective in the treatment of industrial process water used in recirculating water systems, particularly with respect to inhibiting the deposition of calcium phosphate on surfaces of equipment used in such systems. |