Treatment of aqueous systems

Abstract

A treatment additive for aqueous systems is described, in which crystal habit modification properties are prioritized; for aqueously preparing a substantially poly-maleic additive through in-situ formation of maleic acid copolymer so that mono-carboxylic acids, non-ionic functional groups, and terminal hydroxyl groups are also formed during polymerization; and for applying such additives for treatment of aqueous systems. Treatment agents resulting from these processes are also described.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A substantially polymaleic acid copolymer comprising:
 mono-carboxylic acids, terminal hydroxyl groups,   non-ionic functional groups which aid in adsorption onto a crystal surface,   wherein said non-ionic functional groups and said terminal hydroxyl groups are substantially formed during an aqueous polymerization process, so that said copolymer comprises at least approximately 50 molar % maleic acid and up to 50 molar % of free radical polymerized comonomers, including at least 5 molar % decarboxylated maleic acid repeating units.   
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A composition for treating an aqueous system, the composition comprising a polymaleic acid copolymer having at least 5 molar % decarboxylated maleic acid repeating units. 
     
     
         13 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the aqueous system is be selected from: cooling towers, industrial water systems, boilers, evaporators, digesters, membranes, thermal desalination systems, recreational water systems, swimming pools, spas, hot tubs, decorative fountains, potable water systems, reverse osmosis membranes, filtration systems, top-side oil systems, down-hole oil systems, top-side gas systems, down-hole gas systems, squeeze treatments, flood treatments, drilling systems, fracturing applications, mining systems, pulp-and paper systems, sugar evaporators, ethanol evaporators, household cleaning systems, laundry systems, and textile processing systems.