I don't currently have an algae problem and rarely use algaecide, but I want to do a "sanity check" on my understanding of algaecide terminology, since I haven't paid much attention to them before. Please let me know if any of this is wrong or needs further definition:
"quat" means "quaternary" which has to do with the structure of an organic molecule.
A standard "quat" algaecide is also called "linear quat", gets oxidized quickly, and causes foaming due to surfactant-like structure. Typical chemical name is Alkyl dimethylethylbenzyl ammonium chloride.
Polyquat has polymers to prevent/reduce foaming. Typical chemical name is Poly[oxyethylene(dimethyliminio)ethylene(dimethyliminio)ethylene dichloride].
If a product is called a "polymer algaecide", does that mean it is a polyquat, or does the industry sometimes apply it to linear quats?
"quat" means "quaternary" which has to do with the structure of an organic molecule.
A standard "quat" algaecide is also called "linear quat", gets oxidized quickly, and causes foaming due to surfactant-like structure. Typical chemical name is Alkyl dimethylethylbenzyl ammonium chloride.
Polyquat has polymers to prevent/reduce foaming. Typical chemical name is Poly[oxyethylene(dimethyliminio)ethylene(dimethyliminio)ethylene dichloride].
If a product is called a "polymer algaecide", does that mean it is a polyquat, or does the industry sometimes apply it to linear quats?
