What is Rydlyme?

Rydlyme is a strong chemical that is used to dissolve water scale deposits in pipes and that if instructions are not strictly followed it can cause leaks or damage the equipment, according to an official at a power plant.

The official told Saipan Tribune yesterday that Rydlyme, produced by Apex Engineering Products Corp., is also intended to dissolve water scale deposits in cooling passages without dismantling the equipment or pipes.

“Scale deposits in the cooling systems act as insulators, which decreases the efficiency of the heat transfer between mediums,” the official explained.

Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s allegedly questionable purchase of thousands of gallons of Rydlyme has led to the indictment of Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez, his sister Joaquina Villagomez Santos, her husband Commerce Secretary James Santos, and former CUC executive director Anthony Guerrero.

According to the indictment, of the 8,175 gallons of Rydlyme that remain unused, at least 1,485 gallons are in storage on Rota.

With the 1998 to 2000 purchases, CUC reportedly experienced damage to some equipment. This resulted in the limited use of Rydlyme only for other purposes such as cleaning tools, cement floors, and plumbing systems. Most of the chemical was disposed of or put in storage.

Notwithstanding the presence of such chemical on Rota, the indictment states that CUC purchased an additional 3,000 gallons in 2007 using sole-source emergency purchase.

As of the date of the indictment filed on July 22, 2008, only 355 gallons of the 3,000 gallons of Rydlyme acquired in the 2007 purchase has reportedly been used by CUC.

The power plant official stressed that no manufacturer will produce chemicals that will cause damage, otherwise they will be out of business.

He said chemicals always come with the instructions on proper use, which the user has to strictly follow.

“Rydlyme is no different. However, since it is rather strong, it should either be diluted or the time of flushing is shortened, otherwise the chemical itself will eat through the piping and/or equipment, causing leaks or damage,” the official said.

The official underscored the need to have a knowledgeable person or an expert who should supervise the process of using Rydlyme.

Saipan Tribune’s check with the privately operated Power Plant 4 in Puerto Rico, Saipan indicates that the plant has not been using the chemical.

Power Plant 4 has always been using soft water (distillers) in its cooling system, resulting in no formation of scales in their system.